Last Updated: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:43
Sheffield United are tipped to beat Coventry, Doncaster, Newcastle and Barnsley to the signing of Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford.
Reports claim the Blades will do a £5m deal which will include £2m-rated hitman Billy Sharp moving to Elland Road as part of the deal.
Beckford has been transfer listed by the Whites after turning down a new deal with the West Yorkshire outfit and it appears Kevin Blackwell's offer would represent good business for the 25-year-old Londoner.
The Sky Blues, Rovers, Magpies and Tykes have all been linked but the Blades are flush with cash following the award of compensation for the Carlos Tevez affair.
Meanwhile, Coventry have signed four academy players on one-year professional contracts - Ashley Cain, Jermaine Grandison, Adam Walker and Curtis Wynter who all made their debuts last season.