Ipswich Town star opens up on Sheffield United transfer exit talk | OneFootball

Sheffield United were also said to be interested in the defender back in 2020

Ipswich Town captain Luke Woolfenden confirmed that he was subject to interest from Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United in the most recent transfer window.

Defender Woolfenden came through the Tractor Boys’ academy to make over 200 appearances for Ipswich, but was heavily linked to a move away in January following the arrival of Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta.

But no move was forthcoming, leaving the towering centre-back to remain at Portman Road.

Luke Woolfenden confirms transfer interest from Sheffield United during January transfer window

After earning back-to-back promotions under Kieran McKenna, flying from League One to the Premier League in consecutive seasons, Ipswich strengthened heavily over the summer to reinforce their squad ahead of their top-flight return.

The defence saw multiple new signings, with new centre-backs Jacob Greaves and Dara O’Shea arriving from Hull City and Burnley respectively.

As such, Woolfenden saw his 40 starts during last season’s Championship campaign turn into just 9 starts in Ipswich’s 28 Premier League games so far this year.

With Woolfenden’s gametime limited at Portman Road, naturally there was interest from other clubs.

Sheffield United were attributed with interest, as well as more exotic destinations such as MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Inter Miami, owned by former England star David Beckham, currently boast a squad of seasoned internationals such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi.

Woolfenden quickly quashed suggestions that he was wanted by Inter Miami, but did confirm to the East Anglian Daily Times that there had been interest from other clubs, including Sheffield United.

Asked by the EADT about the rumours linking him to Sheffield United and Inter Miami, Woolfenden shared: "There's interest most windows. I think that's part and parcel of being a footballer.

"The Inter Miami one was a bit wide of the mark because otherwise I'm not sure I'd be sitting here! I'd be playing with Messi!

“So I'm not sure that one was true, but there was certainly interest from elsewhere."

Sheffield United have been long-term admirers of Luke Woolfenden

It is not the first time Sheffield United have looked to sign Woolfenden, with the defender first catching their eye in 2020.

At the time, Ipswich were plying their trade in League One, whilst the Blades were in the Premier League during current manager Chris Wilder's first stint in charge.

Back in 2020, Woolfenden addressed the transfer speculation, sharing: “It's nice to be linked with big clubs but I'm focused on taking Ipswich back to where we should be.

“I don't really get involved in all of that (transfer talk). Everybody knows what I'm like. There's been no bids so there's nothing to worry about.

“Everyone's dream and goal is to play as high as they possibly can and for me I obviously want to play in the Premier League, but that doesn't mean I want to leave right now.

“Ipswich is a massive club so if I could get to the Premier League with Ipswich it would be unbelievable.

“Ipswich Town shouldn't be in League One so to get them promoted, as an Ipswich lad, would be massive.”

But things quickly changed for Woolfenden when Paul Cook replaced Paul Lambert as manager.

He found himself training with the Tractor Boys’ reserves, believing his future to lie elsewhere.

Woolfenden shared: "I was training with the Under 23s most of the time so I was nailed on to go.

"I was waking up most mornings and wanting to be anywhere else other than Ipswich."

However, it would take until 2025 for the Blades to reignite their interest in the defender.

But Sheffield United’s hopes of signing the 26-year-old have been diminished by the fact that Woolfenden has signed a new deal with Ipswich.

The centre-back had been set to be out of contract this summer, but will now remain at his first professional club until the summer of 2027.

"I've said over the last few years that this is probably the best place to be in the Football League," continued Woolfenden.

“It's a club that, besides the manager, has a lot of ambition behind it with the owners, with Mark (Ashton), that it's driven to keep this club where it is now. So it was a really good feeling to get the contract done.

"I've said numerous times that I love working here under the boss and the coaching staff.

"Every session is enjoyable. You don't need to play every game here to improve as a player, whereas at other clubs you might have a bit of a jolly up and just go through the motions. Here we're bang at it every day.”