Ryan One is starting to look like one of the more interesting young attackers on the market, not because Sheffield United need to move him on, but because his profile keeps attracting attention. Rangers and Leicester City have both registered interest ahead of the 2026-27 season, and Sheffield United are fully aware that they hold the stronger hand: One is tied to Bramall Lane until June 2029.
Why the interest is growing
The appeal is easy to understand. One is a left-footed attacker with tactical versatility, a trait that tends to stand out when clubs are looking for flexibility rather than a single fixed role. Rangers have also been looking at a left-footed profile this summer, which helps explain why the Scotland Under-21 international is on their radar. Leicester City, meanwhile, are also in the mix, giving One the kind of cross-border interest that usually pushes a transfer story into a more serious phase.
There is also recent production behind the buzz. Last season, One scored five goals in 16 League One games on loan at Lincoln City, which is a tidy return for a young player still building his senior reputation. That spell mattered because it gave him minutes, responsibility and a clearer case that he can contribute in a competitive first-team environment. For clubs watching closely, that sort of loan spell is often where an academy prospect stops being a name and starts becoming a target.
Sheffield United can afford to wait
The key detail in this story is the contract. Sheffield United tied One down in August 2024 on a long-term deal running until June 2029, and that gives the Blades genuine leverage. Interest is one thing; affordability is another. When a club knows a player is protected for several more years, the asking price tends to reflect it, especially when the selling club also recognizes the value of the asset.
That is why this is not simply a case of two clubs circling a promising youngster. It is a negotiation shaped by timing, contract length and upside. One is young, left-footed, adaptable and coming off a productive loan at Lincoln City. Rangers and Leicester City like the profile. Sheffield United like the contract. Right now, that looks like a strong position for the Blades and a difficult one for anyone hoping to move quickly.
For One, the next step matters as much as the interest itself. A move to Rangers or Leicester City would represent a major opportunity, but so would another season of development if Sheffield United decide the market is not right. Either way, the attention is a sign that his rise is being noticed well beyond Bramall Lane.
