'Huge blow' – Sheffield United fan fear revealed as Everton hunt late move | OneFootball

FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has reacted to Everton exploring a late move for Femi Seriki.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United will be hopeful that they can rise up the Championship table after getting back to winning ways last weekend.

It had been a tough period for the Blades in recent weeks as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by third-tier opposition in Mansfield Town, while the Yorkshire outfit also suffered back-to-back losses on the road as they returned to second-tier action, going down 1-0 to both Charlton Athletic and Southampton.

But back on home soil, the Blades got a much-needed three points against promotion-contending Ipswich Town, sealing a 3-1 victory as Callum O’Hare, Andre Brooks and Patrick Bamford all got on the scoresheet.

Alleviating their relegation fears, the Blades will want the winter transfer window to come to an end in order to finalise their squad and understand who wants to be at the club to help get them to the best possible position in the standings between now and May.

And as we tick down to the 2nd February deadline, it has emerged that Premier League outfit Everton are plotting a late move to sign the Blades’ young star Femi Seriki, who has been a standout star in what has been a dull second-tier campaign in the Steel City.

The 22-year-old right-back has notched one goal and four assists from his 22 games in red and white this term, with his prolific attacking presence from the back showing signs that he can go right to the very top of the game.

And it appears Everton are willing to take a chance on him, but it would leave the Blades short in that area and little time to source a replacement.

With this in mind, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit has issued his thoughts on a potential move for Seriki to Everton and how damaging it may be for the Blades.

Sheffield United losing Femi Seriki would be a “massive blow”

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy (AKA Blades Ramble) has admitted losing Femi Seriki to Everton would be a “massive blow”, but believes the club has to consider the offer given he has only 18 months left on his current deal and that the Blades are running out of their parachute payments from the Premier League.

Jimmy told FLW: “Femi Seriki is having a breakout season at Sheffield United and has been a huge part of our mini-resurgence under Chris Wilder.

“I think he is quite inconsistent, but when he plays well, he’s certainly one of the best in the league, and he’s such a raw talent that could go on and have a fantastic career, if he is nurtured in the right way.

“I really rate him as a prospect, he’s frustrating at times. I think his defending needs a bit of work, but his pace usually gets him out of a lot of danger at times.

“It would be a huge blow to Sheffield United to lose Femi Seriki. Last 18 months of his contract, though, that might come into the conversation. We’re not in a position to turn down any offer either. We lose our parachutes next season, so we’ll have to listen to it.

“We’ve also got Ki-Jana Hoever from Wolves on loan so we’ve got a capable replacement, but it would still be a big blow for United to lose Femi.”

Sheffield United face a stick or twist decision with Femi Seriki

Femi Seriki has been such an influential figure for the Blades this season, and it would be a huge blow for the club to lose him at this stage of the season, although his performance levels have warranted an eventual move to the Premier League.

With 18 months left on his current deal, Sheffield United have a big decision to make regarding his future, as they will risk losing him for less than what is on the table right now, or even for free if he decides to stay for another full year.

The Yorkshire outfit do have Ki-Jana Hoever as a replacement after sealing a loan deal for the defender from Premier League basement boys Wolves, but there’s no doubt there will be a lack of depth in that area once again heading into such a relentless remainder of the Championship campaign.

It all depends on whether the club can convince Seriki enough to extend his current contract, otherwise a sale may have to be considered to help boost the coffers, particularly when their financial resources get weaker following the end of their parachute payments next term.