Sheffield United are expected to be Coventry City’s “biggest rival” in the battle to snap up Chelsea defender Jake Clarke-Salter, according to the Coventry Telegraph.

The 24-year-old spent the season on loan at the CBS Arena but his parent club will let him leave on a free transfer next month, despite having the option to extend his stay for a further year.

It is believed that Leeds, PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge could also be in contention to sign Clarke-Salter but the Blades and Coventry are likely to be frontrunners.

The centre-back is said to have enjoyed his time in the Midlands, with the player getting the chance to work with his former youth coach, Adrian Viveash, who is now Mark Robins’s assistant manager.

Sheffield United would, however, be able to offer Clarke-Salter a much better contract, due to the fact they are in a much stronger position financially than their Championship rivals, so we shall see who wins the race for his signature.