Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly targeting Sheffield United midfielder Oli Arblaster as a potential replacement for Billy Gilmour, should the Scot depart the Seagulls, according to Football Insider.
Arblaster, currently a key player at United, despite being the tender age of 20, has caught the attention of Brighton’s scouts. However, convincing him to leave Bramall Lane might be a significant challenge, given his important role at the club and given his affiliation with the Blades.
Scottish international, Billy Gilmour, has reportedly been given the all clear to join Napoli to team up with his countryman Scott McTominay.
Sheffield United chasing Premier League winger and striker
Meanwhile, Sheffield United are in discussions to bring in Southampton winger Samuel Edozie on loan. Edozie’s potential move is part of the Blades’ efforts to strengthen their wide options for the Championship campaign, per Football Insider. However, United may face the challenge of persuading Edozie to drop down a division from the Premier League to the Championship, given he just helped the Saints win promotion back to the top flight last season.
Last term, he made 32 appearances and registered six goals and three assists as an inverted left-winger, which would likely be his role for the Blades, perhaps freeing up Gustavo Hamer to move into a more natural central midfield role.
In another development, the race for Tom Cannon sees Sheffield United and Stoke City vying for his signature, per Alan Nixon. Cannon, a promising young talent at Leicester City, is in high demand, and both clubs are competing to secure his services. The Irishman would offer a mobile presence at the top of the pitch.
Additionally, Sunderland have made progress in their quest to bolster their defence. They have reached an agreement with Bournemouth to loan Chris Mepham, who is now scheduled for a medical, according to Mark McAdam.
Are the Blades leaving themselves short at the back?
The Blades had the Welsh international on their shortlist given that they are about to part ways with American centre-back Auston Trusty, and they’ll be increased speculation surrounding the future of another centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic over the remaining hours.
Losing Auston Trusty and not replacing him would be quite a worry until the January transfer window opens; currently only Jack Robinson, Harry Souttar, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Anel Ahmedhodzic are the central defensive options. And there’s a worry with all four of them.
Robinson is seen as someone that isn’t mobile or strong enough to be a centre-back in a back four, being in a back three allows for additional cover when he is out of position.
Souttar is only on loan from Leicester City: an injury crisis for the Foxes could see the big Australian recalled, leaving United short.
Norrington-Davies is a full-back by trade, and that showed in the cup against Barnsley when he failed to track a simple run in behind him. He is quite susceptible against long balls. Additionally, there’s huge question marks over his fitness.
Lastly, Ahmedhodzic is on the radar of several European and Premier League clubs and his future could be decided right down to the wire.
Meanwhile, the Blades have announced Anis Slimane’s loan move to Norwich City.
