Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe has confirmed the club failed in bids to sign former loanees Phil Bardsley and Gary Cahill.Both defenders spent time at Bramall Lane earlier this season, but Bardsley has now joined Sunderland for £2million while Cahill has returned to Aston Villa, who have rejected a £4million bid from Bolton for his services.

But McCabe told the club's official website: "We offered what we thought were good terms for Cahill and likewise for Bardsley.

"We thought he (Bardsley) would be joining but he switched and joined Sunderland - it wasn't for the want of trying.

"We have a desire to strengthen in January and have already made three good signings. There may be a couple more ins and outs before the end of the month."

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