Derby County and Sheffield United must share £30m transfer shock | OneFootball

Will Osula never hit the heights at Sheffield United, and on loan at Derby County, but he may be on the move for a hefty fee

Will Osula's time in England has been an interesting case. He's always had the potential, and at 22, he still does, but he's yet to properly realise it.

The former Danish under-21 international came through in the EFL with Sheffield United, signing with the academy at the South Yorkshire side in 2018 after moving from native giants FC Copenhagen.

At that time, the Blades were in the process of securing promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since the 2006/07 season, and he actually made a senior squad for the first time on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign, their final game before relegation, when they beat Burnley 1-0.

Osula was just 17 at the time, and it was a key indication that, under Paul Heckingbottom, he had a bright future at Bramall Lane, but the club's status, bouncing up and down between the top flight and the second tier, never really helped his development, and neither did a loan move to Derby County, which exposed him to League One football.

Will Osula's disappointing years at Sheffield United and Derby County

Despite making that one squad appearance on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign, it unfortunately didn't prove to be an indication that Osula would be a key member of the Sheffield United squad back in the Championship.

That being said, the young marksman did make his senior debut that year, making five substitute appearances towards the end of the season. He'd also make the squad for both of their play-off semi-final legs that year, too, but they'd lose on penalties to Nottingham Forest.

Instead of integrating him further off the bench in the 2022/23 campaign, the Blades decided that Osula should develop at a top League One side, and they sent him out to Derby on loan for the season, who had just been relegated the year before.

It was intended to be a season-long loan, but the then 19-year-old couldn't break into the starting eleven at Pride Park, despite bagging a brace on his first start against Accrington Stanley. His final appearance before he was recalled saw him sent off, also against Accrington.

So, he never made the best impression during his time at Derby, and his return to Bramall Lane saw him struggle to even make matchday squads as Sheffield United secured promotion back to the Premier League.

Funnily enough, that year back in the top flight was the year he broke into the team, making 21 Premier League appearances, nine of which were starts. But he failed to find the back of the net and didn't contribute much towards stopping the Blades from finishing with just 16 points at the foot of the table.

Sheffield United will be shocked, yet pleasantly surprised, at Will Osula's price tag

Therefore, when Newcastle United banked on the frontman realising his potential with them in 2024, offering £15 million for his services, it was a deal Sheffield United couldn't refuse, and both they and Derby were perhaps slightly shocked that they were able to bring in that much for his services.

Two years on, he's being valued at close to £30 million more than that, which will definitely leave them scratching their heads.

Indeed, not only have reports suggested that Osula was close to a £30 million move to Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, which fell through on deadline day, but now, the Daily Mail are stating that the Dane is being valued at £40 million, with the likes of Bayern Munich and Aston Villa both interested in bringing him in.

This season has easily been the best of the 22-year-old's career. He's been used mainly as a bench option, but has still managed seven goals in 33 games in all competitions, and five in 22 in the Premier League.

That being said, it's still remarkable that his value is that high, but the hope and expectations are that, if given more game time, he could find himself netting in the 15-20 region soon enough.

While it would just leave Derby shocked, Sheffield United will be praying that a move goes through this summer, as reports suggest that Chris Wilder's side will be in line for a "significant" fee as part of the sell-on clause they negotiated with the Magpies back in 2024.

So, not only does the £15 million they received two summers ago still look like a brilliant piece of business, the Blades could be in line for even more money in a few months, if Osula departs, which would be a big boost ahead of a season without Premier League parachute payments.