Celtic facing issue with Sheffield United transfer | OneFootball

The Scottish champions want to sign the American before tonight's deadline.

Celtic are facing a work permit problem in their bid to sign Sheffield United defender Auston Trusty.

Celtic are having to re-apply for a work permit for Trusty in order to sign the American, according to The Star, and it will now be a race against time for them to get the permit before 11pm tonight when the transfer window closes.

The Blades have been looking to offload members of their playing staff since the end of last season. A quartet of names comprising the likes of Anel Ahmedhodzic, Vinicius Souza, Benie Traore and Anis Slimane were reportedly listed as being available this summer, according to Alan Nixon.

Traore has already left for FC Basel and Slimane is edging closer to a deadline day loan-to-buy move to Norwich City, as per Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

Meanwhile, the other two have been firm parts of Chris Wilder's squad in the opening stages of the new season.

Trusty's name hadn't been linked with too many clubs, but Celtic have popped up as a potential destination recently. They made advances to get him, but there is now a problem with the deal.

Celtic face issue in Auston Trusty deal

The Hoops may struggle to get their move for the American defender over the line as they need to re-apply for a work permit for the player, and it may not be approved in time for him to join the Scottish champions.

The two teams were reportedly close to agreeing a £6 million deal for Trusty on Thursday night, with just a few details to be ironed out, according to Anthony Joseph. This was an improved offer on their initial proposal of £5 million was rejected.

The feeling among those at Bramall Lane was that, if they got an offer that would allow them to profit on the £5 million deal that saw the 26-year-old move to the Blades from Arsenal last summer, they would sanction his departure.

United.

Chris Wilder was hoping to use the money earned from Trusty's exit to get AFC Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham, as per Nixon, but he is now set to join Sunderland.

Sheffield United will be praying for Auston Trusty deal to go through

While they aren't one of the many teams that are scrambling in these last few hours to get a deal done, the transfer fee and having his wages off the bill would be great for the Blades.

Trusty clearly isn't part of Wilder's plans. He came off the bench against Barnsley in United's most recent fixture, and has only appeared in one of their three Championship games so far this season.

They will be very happy to have even made just a slight profit on him, but that can only happen if there are no issues with this permit being approved.

There will be a lot of crossing of fingers leading up to that 11pm deadline.