By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

30th Aug, 2023 | 2:18pm

Sources: Sheffield United beat Leeds United to Luke Thomas as loan deal agreed

Sheffield United have agreed a deal with Leicester City for left-back Luke Thomas, sources have told Football Insider.

The 22-year-old will join the newly-promoted Blades on a loan basis.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (28 August) that Leeds United have registered their interest in signing Thomas amid an injury crisis at Elland Road.

But Premier League Sheffield United have beaten their Yorkshire rivals to a deal and are set to add him to Paul Heckingbottom’s squad for the 2023-24 campaign.

Thomas was absent from the squad which beat Tranmere in the League Cup on Tuesday night (29 August) in a sign his King Power Stadium exit is now imminent.

Thomas, 22, is out of contract at Leicester in less than 12 months after penning his last extension in August 2020.

He racked up 56 top-flight appearances for the Foxes and even started in their FA Cup final win over Chelsea in 2021.

The academy product has made 85 total senior appearances for the club, scoring twice and assisting five.

But the left-back is out of favour under new manager Enzo Maresca – despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Thomas is yet to play a single minute of action this season with loanee Callum Doyle preferred in a left-back role.

He did, however, contribute in 180 minutes of game time as England lifted the Under-21 European Championship earlier this summer.

Sheffield United have lost each of their opening three Premier League games this season following promotion last term.

The Blades face bottom club Everton on Saturday (2 September).

In other news, Sheffield United takeover value revealed as £170m talks held.