All the latest transfer news for Sheffield United as shock bid received

With less than a fortnight to go before the opening game of the Championship season, Sheffield United are still in need of more signings.

On Saturday afternoon it was finally announced that the Blades secured their fifth signing of the summer by announcing Harrison Burrows, but Chris Wilder is still keen to get several more deals done before the opening kick-off against Preston North End.

Sheffield United latest transfer incomings rumours

According to Football Insider, the Blades are eyeing a loan move for Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back Ki-Jana Hoever. The 22-year-old had a loan spell at Stoke City last season where he made 40 Championship appearances registering four goals and five assists.

The Dutchman joined Wolves in 2020 but has only totalled just 25 appearances for his parent club.

United are in the market for a right-back after selling Jayden Bogle to Yorkshire and Championship rivals Leeds United.

Another loan right-back Sheffield United have been linked with is Southampton’s James Bree, as per Alan Nixon. As of now the Saints are not currently thinking of loaning out Bree, with the 26-year-old willing to stay with the Premier League outfit and fight for his place in Russell Martin’s plans.

Bree made a total of 19 Championship appearances last term with 13 of them being starts.

Wilder and his recruitment team evidently have a clear focus on bringing in loan players; the Blades have shown an interest in Leicester City striker Tom Cannon, per Nixon. The 21-year-old is also of interest to Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

In the Foxes title-winning campaign he registered 13 Championship appearances where he scored twice and provided one assist.

One position Sheffield United are desperate to improve on is their goalkeeping department. It’s fair to say neither Adam Davies or Ivo Grbic have looked convincing in pre-season.

Grbic’s time with the Blades has not worked out and he has been linked with a move back to Spain this summer just a few months into his United career. This has prompted United to search for a new goalkeeper. And one name is certainly a frontrunner to be the new shot-stopper – the Blades have made an approach for Plymouth Argyle keeper Michael Cooper.

Cooper has a price-tag of £3 million but United are yet to meet Argyle’s valuation at this time, Nixon claims. Crystal Palace are another team keen on the promising goalkeeper but only if Sam Johnstone is sold.

Cooper played 19 times for Plymouth in the Championship last season, keeping six clean sheets, after recovering from a major knee injury which occurred in Plymouth’s triumphant League One campaign.

Blades still fishing in free agents pond

The Blades have done some excellent business in the free agents market thus far: the acquisition of Callum O’Hare has been particularly impressive. And they’re not shying away from that market just yet. Alan Nixon has stated that Wilder has tee’d up deals for free agent midfielder Stuart Armstrong and defender Paul Dummett, however United will need to sell players in order to get these deals over the line.

Armstrong played a huge part in Southampton’s promotion back to the Premier League. The 32-year-old tallied five goals and seven assists in 42 second tier appearances last term.

Meanwhile, the potential acquisition of Dummett is a strange one. Dummett is mainly used as a centre-back nowadays and United are already very left-foot dominant in defence this season. United have three left-backs on the books, along with Jack Robinson and Auston Trusty as central defenders – adding another left-footed player doesn’t seem to be a necessary signing at this stage.

Sheffield United players to depart?

In other news, according to Alan Nixon the Blades could see a big name departure very shortly. The transfer expert has claimed that Serie A and Champions League side AC Milan are closing in on a deal to sign the Blades’ Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza.

Fulham have been chasing Souza throughout the summer, however, it is Milan who are the closest to completing a move at this stage.

The 25-year-old had a decent start to his Blades life last season but as United’s fate began to become more clearer, Souza’s performances gradually worsened.

Additionally, Nixon has stated Newcastle United have made a shock offer for Sheffield United youngster Will Osula. The young Danish striker has been threatening to break out over the last couple of seasons.

Osula is a player that divides opinion in the fan base. Some believe he has the ability to go on to have a career in top echelons of football, while others are not convinced due to his lack of composure and rushed nature in goalscoring situations. The reality is: he is still very young and he has several years of development left in him.

United are standing firm on their £10 million valuation of the 20-year-old. An eight figure sale could be just what the doctor ordered for the Blades, who, with just over a month left in the transfer window, are still in desperate need of key positions such as: a number one goalkeeper, a right-back, a right-footed central defender, as well as depth for the right wing position.

A sale of either Vinicius Souza or Will Osula would certainly aid the remaining business that needs to be done.