One winner and one loser at Sheffield United if they seal transfer agreement for 11-cap former international | OneFootball

Sheffield United are weighing up a move for Alanyaspor midfielder Leroy Fer, according to yesterday morning’s Patreon report from Alan Nixon.

The Blades enjoyed a reasonably productive summer transfer window, managing to fill gaps following the departure of loanees and others at the end of last season with Paul Heckingbottom’s men looking in decent shape going into this season.

They may have lost their opening game against Watford and suffered a poor spell of form recently with injuries previously hampering their progress – but they currently sit in 3rd place following their excellent 5-2 victory against promotion rivals Burnley at the weekend.

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Yorkshire Live journalist Nathan Hemmingham doesn’t believe the South Yorkshire outfit will be hugely active in the transfer market in January and that will come as no surprise to many with the club operating within a limited budget.

However, they could potentially make a move for 32-year-old Fer who has already plied his trade in the United Kingdom for Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City in the past.

And ahead of this potential switch from the Turkish top tier to the Championship, we take a look at one winner and one loser if an agreement for the midfielder is sealed.

Winner: Sander Berge

Soccer Football – Championship – Sheffield United v Queens Park Rangers – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – October 4, 2022 Sheffield United’s Sander Berge in action with Queens Park Rangers’ Andre Dozzell Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Although Fer would be a direct competitor for Berge, his arrival would be good news for the Norwegian because this added squad depth will give the Blades a better chance of being promoted at the second time of asking.

The Dutchman is certainly a top-quality player too and should be able to perform admirably if Berge or other midfielders are out of action at any point.

And this increased chance of getting to the top flight will be a massive boost for the Norway international considering the fact he will want to be competing at the top level sooner rather than later.

He will be 26 by the time his contract expires at Bramall Lane and if he isn’t let go by the Blades and they remain in the second tier for the remainder of his deal, that will be a big blow for the midfielder who has a huge amount of potential.

It could even be argued that the potential addition of Fer could persuade officials in South Yorkshire to cash in on him during the winter window, with many sides likely to be interested in taking him away from the English second tier.

Soccer Football – Championship – Sheffield United v Norwich City – Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain – October 22, 2022 Norwich City’s Aaron Ramsey in action with Sheffield United’s Tommy Doyle Action Images/John Clifton EDITORIAL USE ONLY

With John Fleck, Oliver Norwood and Berge all decent first-team options to have for Heckingbottom when all are available, Doyle’s game time could be limited if Fer comes in as well.

And at this stage of the Manchester City youngster’s career, he will be wanting to get as many minutes under his belt as possible as he looks to either secure a first-team spot at Manchester City next season or make the step up to the top flight with another team.

If he’s being substituted regularly or even falls out of the first 11, that will both harm his development and may not allow him to put himself in the shop window ahead of next season.

Getting himself recognised ahead of the next summer window will be important because he’s unlikely to be a key part of his parent club’s plans during the 2023/24 campaign.

And this is why Fer’s arrival may not be good news for him despite how much he could learn from the Dutchman during their time together in South Yorkshire.