The 27-year-old scored 13 Championship goals last season to help fire Sheffield United to promotion to the Premier League.
Having already seen one star striker from last season move on – Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille – Heckingbottom is loathe to let another go before the
transfer window closes on September 1.
While no concrete contact has been made between Leeds and the Blades, McBurnie would appear a natural fit for a rebuilding Whites – a big,
physical striker who has pedigree in the Championship.
McBurnie was born in Leeds and is in the final year of his contract, which always leaves a club vulnerable to losing a player.
But Heckingbottom said he had received no offers and ‘hopes’ to open contract talks with the player because he is someone he values highly.
“Everyone knows the relationship between me and Oli is a bit of tough love,” said Heckingbottom.
“I’ve got loads of time for him, but I also know that certainly the last few years at Sheffield United, people haven’t seen him at his best; what I know
he can do and what he knows he can do.
“He’ll be pushed towards that, and if we fall a little bit short it’s better than accepting where we are now, so that’s the approach – he’ll be pushed and
pushed.
“We worked with him, challenged him and pushed him, and didn’t take no for an answer.”
McBurnie is back in training but unlikely to feature at Nottingham Forest on Friday night. United visit the City Ground for the first time since a
heated Championship play-off semi-final 15 months ago that led to McBurnie being cleared of stamping on a pitch-invading fan.
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Patrick Bamford reacts as Leeds United exit confirmed
Patrick Bamford has reacted to Jack Harrison’s Leeds United departure video following his return to the Premier League with Everton.
Taking to Instagram (15 August), the Leeds striker shared his well-wishes to the winger as Harrison becomes the latest Elland Road star to depart as
he returns to the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s side.
Bamford and Harrison shared the pitch for half a decade at Elland Road, but the former Manchester City’s loan move to the Toffees means he will be
away from Leeds for at least a season.
Latest loss
Bamford will likely be worrying about all the departures at Leeds United this season. While he struggles with fitness issues and goalscoring, he will
hope he has a strong team to come back to.
Harrison, who Bamford has shared his entire Leeds career with, has been a big part of any recent success at Elland Road, and his well-wishes feel
genuine.
But Sean Dyche’s new toy has his own injury issues to worry about too, as a hip injury is likely to delay his Everton debut by at least a month.
Having helped the side back to the Premier League with their Championship title win in 2019/20, the English pair cemented themselves into recent
Leeds history under Marcelo Bielsa and will be remembered fondly by many fans.
While some fans may be disappointed to see Harrison leave, when the top-flight beckons it can be very difficult to turn it down.
In other Leeds United news, an Elland Road forward has informed the club about his future at the club.
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