Senior Sheffield United player in talks over Bramall Lane exit | OneFootball

Blades shot-stopper Ivo Grbic could be heading permanently to Turkey, and is in discussions with newly promoted Kocaelispor.

Sheffield United goalkeeper Ivo Grbic is reportedly in talks with newly promoted Turkish Süper Lig side Kocaelispor over a summer switch after talks with Caykur Rizespor have stalled.

The Blades will be finalising summer transfer window plans as they aim to bounce back from play-off final heartache to Sunderland.

There is still uncertainty over the manager front though, with the Blades set to part ways with Chris Wilder.

The Yorkshire outfit are expected to complete a number of incomings and outgoings to strike the correct balance to help them compete towards the upper ends of the second tier table once again.

One player who could wave goodbye to the Sheffield United camp is Croatian goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, who spent last season on loan in Turkey with Caykur Rizespor.

Talks have been held over a permanent move there, but now a new Turkish side has entered the race, as they attempt to lure the 29-year-old to be a part of their upcoming Süper Lig campaign.

Ivo Grbic holding talks with Kocaelispor as Caykur Rizespor talks stutter

As per Turkish news outlet Taka Gazette, Kocaelispor, who have recently gained promotion to the Turkish top-flight, are keen to take Sheffield United goalkeeper Ivo Grbic on a permanent deal after talks with Caykur Rizespor stalled over wages.

The Croat featured 22 times and kept four clean sheets for Caykur Rizespor last season as they recorded a ninth-placed finish, taking 49 points from their 36 league outings.

Becoming a regular for the Turkish team, Grbic was expected to complete a permanent move to the Estadio Çaykur Didi, but now the 29-year-old could be set for a different challenge as Kocaelispor aim to survive in the top-flight after their promotion triumph.

Grbic is contracted at Bramall Lane until 2027, but a series of poor performances in a Blades shirt meant he was exiled from Chris Wilder’s setup for the 2024-25 campaign.

Whether he can still salvage his Sheffield United career with a new incoming manager remains to be seen, but it appears the shot-stopper wants his future resolved quickly and is eager to take the next step in his career.

Ivo Grbic exit won’t be felt heavily by Sheffield United

If Sheffield United sanction the exit of Ivo Grbic this summer, then the club are likely not to feel the effects of it, particularly when the club already has two competent options between the sticks.

Michael Cooper has cemented himself as first-choice following his move from Plymouth Argyle, while Adam Davies has deputised when needed and given a good account of himself.

The Blades may need to recruit a third keeper just in case of an injury crisis next term, but it should be quite comfortable to negotiate an addition given the club is likely to be in the promotion mix once again come the end of next season.