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

With less than two weeks to go until 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 had secured their fifth signing of the summer, announcing Harrison Burrows, but Chris Wilder is still keen to complete more deals ahead of the opener against Preston North End.

The latest Sheffield United transfer 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 made 25 appearances for his parent club.

United are on the hunt 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, according to Alan Nixon. For now, Saints are not considering taking Bree out on loan, 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 league appearances last term, 13 of which were starts.

Wilder and his recruitment team are clearly focused on bringing in loan players; The Blades have shown an interest in Leicester City striker Tom Cannon, according to Nixon. The 21-year-old is also attracting interest from Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

In the Foxes’ title-winning campaign, he made 13 league appearances, scoring twice and providing an assist.

One position that Sheffield United are desperate to improve is in the goalkeeping department. It’s fair to say that neither Adam Davies nor Ivo Grbic have looked convincing in pre-season.

Grbic’s time with the Blades did not work out and he has been linked with a move back to Spain this summer, just months into his United career. This prompted United to look for a new goalkeeper. And one name is certainly one of the best players to be the new stopper – the Blades have made an approach for Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

Cooper has a £3m price tag but United have yet to meet Argyle’s valuation at the moment, claims Nixon. Crystal Palace are another side 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 sustained in Plymouth’s triumphant League One campaign.

The Blades are still fishing in the free agent pond

The Blades have done excellent business in the free agent market so far, with the signing of Callum O’Hare particularly impressive. And they’re still not shying away from that market. Alan Nixon stated that Wilder had completed bids for free agent midfielder Stuart Armstrong and defender Paul Dummett, however United would need to sell players to get those deals over the line.

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

Meanwhile, Dummett’s potential acquisition is an odd one. Dummett is mainly used as a centre-back these days and United are already very dominant with their left foot in defense this season. United have three left-backs on the books, with Jack Robinson and Auston Trusty as centre-backs – adding another left-back does not appear to be a necessary signing at this stage.

Will Sheffield United players leave?

In other news, according to Alan Nixon, the Blades could see a big name leave shortly. Transfer pundits have claimed Serie A and Champions League side AC Milan are closing in on a deal to sign Blades’ Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza.

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

The 25-year-old had a decent start to life with the Blades last season, but as United’s fate began to become clearer, Souza’s performances gradually took a turn for the worse.

In addition, Nixon stated that Newcastle United have made a shock bid for Sheffield United youngster Will Osula. The young Danish striker has been threatening to break out in the last two seasons.

Osula is a player who divides opinion in the fan base. Some believe he has the ability to go on to have a career in the top echelons of football, while others are unconvinced due to his lack of composure and hasty nature in goal-scoring situations. The reality is: he’s still very young and has a few years of development left in him.

United are adamant about their £10million 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 full-back right-footed centre-back as well as depth for the right-wing position.

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