Derby County set to lose out to Sheffield United for permanent Leicester City transfer | OneFootball

Sheffield United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who had been on the radar of Derby County.

Sheffield United are reportedly set to beat Derby County to the signing of Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury.

That's according to The Star, who claim that a deal that would see Choudhury return to Sheffield United for a second spell is advancing ahead of Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.

Derby County set for transfer disappointment in Hamza Choudhury, Leicester City chase

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After suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One, Leicester have had to balance the books this summer, with a number of big names departing.

Ricardo Pereira, Jannik Vestergaard, Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss, Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka are among the high earners to have exited the King Power Stadium in recent months, and the Foxes are said to be keen to offload Choudhury's wages before the transfer window slams shut.

Choudhury came through the Leicester academy before establishing himself at senior level, but he was not in the squad for Saturday's 0-0 draw at MK Dons, which led to speculation he may be set to move on.

It was reported that Derby had made a move for Choudhury, but after missing out on the signing of Ben Brereton Diaz to Sheffield United earlier this week, it appears the Blades are now set to pip the Rams to a deal for the 28-year-old.

Sheffield United closing in on Hamza Choudhury, Leicester City transfer swoop

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Choudhury spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Sheffield United, making 19 appearances to help the Blades reach the Championship play-off final, where they were beaten by Sunderland.

United manager Chris Wilder has already brought two former loanees back to Bramall Lane this summer in Kalvin Phillips and Ben Brereton Diaz, and it seems he is now closing in on a reunion with Choudhury, who he also previously worked with during his brief stint in charge of Watford in 2023.

The Star claim that Choudhury is set to undergo a medical with the Blades on Sunday, with Wilder keen to have the deal completed in time for him to feature against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night following an injury to Femi Seriki.

While Choudhury still has one year left on his contract at Leicester, it is believed that United have agreed a free transfer with the Foxes, with the deal expected to be sealed in the coming days barring any late issues.

It has been a slow start to the season for the Blades, who recorded their third successive draw with a 2-2 stalemate at Cardiff City on Saturday, but Choudhury's imminent arrival will help add some much-needed depth to Wilder's squad.

Chris Wilder facing anxious Sheffield United wait as transfer deadline looms

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While Choudhury was part of the Leicester squad that suffered a humiliating relegation to League One last season, he has been a solid performer at Championship level over the years.

With finances tight at Bramall Lane this summer, Wilder has turned to some of his former favourites to help strengthen his squad, and after the arrivals of Phillips and Brereton Diaz, Choudhury is another reliable and experienced addition for Sheffield United.

After Saturday's draw at Cardiff, Wilder revealed that a couple of transfer deals were progressing ahead of Tuesday's deadline, and with the squad still looking light in a number of areas, it could be a season-defining few days ahead for the Blades.