Crystal Palace join the race for in demand Sheffield United star | OneFootball

Anel Ahmedhodzic has been lined up by Crystal Palace as a replacement for Joachim Andersen

Key Takeaways

Crystal Palace are the latest side to join the race for Sheffield United centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, according to recent reports.

The Star have reported that the Premier League side are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements following Joachim Andersen's recent £30million Fulham departure and have reportedly taken a look at Ahmedhodzic.

However, the Eagles are set to face stiff competition with the Bosnian international reportedly attracting interest from fellow Premier League sides Ipswich Town and Wolves, while Sky Sports have recently reported that Portuguese giants FC Porto also hold an interest in the Blades' defender.

Palace were dealt a blow last week when experienced Andersen sealed a move to London rivals Fulham and Oliver Glasner's side appear keen to strengthen their backline before the window shuts tomorrow night.

Time is running out if they're to do so, but as we all know, things move fast at this stage of the transfer window.

Ahmedhodzic joined the Blades from Malmö in the summer of 2022 and helped them win automatic promotion to the Premier League, but they suffered a dismal 2023/24 campaign in the top flight and were relegated after winning just three games and picking up 16 points.

Sheffield United conceded a whopping 104 goals, the most in Premier League history, but it hasn't put clubs off a move for Ahmedhodzic, with Palace facing competition from two Premier League sides and FC Porto.

The 25-year-old was a rare bright spot for Chris Wilder's side last season, making 31 Premier League appearances, scoring twice, and being trusted to wear the captain's armband 11 times.

It was expected that he would leave Bramall Lane this summer, but on the eve of the transfer window closing he still remains a Blades player.

Ahmedhodzic missed his side's trip to Norwich City on the weekend, fueling speculation that he was set for an exit, but he returned to the fold for their EFL Cup defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Despite being part of the worst defence in Premier League history, Ahmedhodzic is seen as someone who is mature beyond his years and has plenty of experience under his belt both in England and abroad, making him an attractive option for Premier League clubs.

Perhaps Wilder and the rest of the Sheffield United hierarchy wouldn't have expected Ahmedhodzic to still be a Sheffield United player at this stage earlier in the transfer window, but with little time left remaining, it would be a blow to see him depart now.

The 24-cap Bosnian international started and played the full 90 minutes of the Blades' opening two league games of the season, before missing their clash with Norwich due to illness, but he's set to play an important role in helping Wilder's side make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Sheffield United have brought the likes of Harry Soutar and Alfie Gilchrist to the club on loan from Leicester City and Chelsea respectively, so they have cover in central defence, but it wouldn't make losing Ahmedhodzic any easier at this stage of the window.

With a number of clubs interested in the 25-year-old, it's set to be a busy day or so, but with a contract at Bramall Lane until 2026, the Blades could demand a hefty fee for Ahmedhodzic, particularly at this stage of the window.