Sheffield United are closing in on the loan signing of Cardiff City striker Gary Madine, according to reports in the UK.

The 28-year-old, who spent four years at Sheffield Wednesday, is believed to have already undergone a medical and could be officially announced as a Blades player very soon.

Madine move to the Bluebirds from Bolton for £6m last January, but he has failed to score in any of his 19 appearances for Neil Warnock’s side.

This season the forward has made six appearances, with just one start coming in the 3-1 defeat to Norwich in the Carabao Cup back in August.

Madine’s connection to the Owls was not the only reason why a move to United is a surprise. Two years ago, Blades manager Chris Wilder criticised the forward for lacking respect after a video showed him insulting club legend Billy Sharp.

It seems as though the incident won’t affect the club’s decision to sign the player as they look to add more firepower to their promotion push.