It was suggested the Championship outfit were ready to shell out £4million in the hopes of teaming him up with compatriot David Carney, but Blackwell has adamantly denied the claims.

"I keep hearing all of these names being banded about but, to be honest, I've never even heard of half of them," the Blades boss told the Sheffield Star.

"I know about the lad from Italy (Bresciano), but the figures being quoted are way beyond us."