Sheffield United hit major stumbling block in pursuit of top-flight defender | OneFootball

United's potential replacement option for Anel Ahmedhodzic won't come cheap.

Sheffield United may have to cover all of Ben Godfrey's wages in order to pull off a loan move for the Atalanta defender.

Just days out from the Blades' opening game of the season, they were left with a big gap in their side by the quick departure of Anel Ahmedhodzic.

The Bosnian's £7 million move to Feyenoord was brought about by his contract situation - he had less than a year left on his deal and he was not going to renew it - and has left Ruben Selles even shorter for options in the middle of defence.

Tyler Bindon and Jack Robinson missed the club's final pre-season game versus Nice through injury. Now the Blades are quickly scrambling to try and bring in a first-team option who could slot into the Spaniard's squad.

One of the options that they have identified is Godfrey. The former Norwich City and Everton player is now with the former Europa League champions Atalanta, but spent half of last season on loan with Ipswich Town.

Financial hurdle revealed in Sheffield United's move for Ben Godfrey

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke, United made an approach to the Italian side to sign the 27-year-old on loan.

Despite no transfer fee being involved, any move for Godfrey isn't likely to be cheap, as The Star have revealed that the Blades may have to cover all of his wages should he move to Bramall Lane this summer.

His weekly earnings are reported to be 'significant' - more than £60,000 per week, as per The Star - and Atalanta would want at least most of that figure to be shouldered by the Championship side over the coming season should their English defender join United this summer.

As per Capology, they have his wage packet with the Serie A side being £77.5k-a-week, which would instantly see him become Blades' most expensive player.

Godfrey isn't Selles' only option. Hull City's Charlie Hughes was reported to be a player of interest to the Steel City club, but a deal feels unlikely given the £20 million-plus fee that the Tigers supposedly want for him.

Malmo IF's Nils Zätterström has also been linked with a move to United, who would look to do deals for both the Swede and Godfrey, not one or the other, according to The Star.

"It's obvious we need to strengthen at centre-half and those are on our list, for different reasons," said Selles, via The Star, on the need to bring in defenders, ahead of his first competitive match as the Blades' boss versus Bristol City on Saturday.

"Ben is a well-known centre-back and full-back. He's very powerful for the level and everyone would like to have him.

"Charlie Hughes is one of the most talented young players in the league, so not only us would be linked, and Nils has already made the national team. I like to follow very closely the Scandinavian market, because of my background, and any good player is on our list. But nothing is concrete yet."

Atalanta's Ben Godfrey demands shouldn't necessarily perturb Sheffield United

Encouraging signs are there for the Blades supporters, even those who aren't happy that, after two multi-million pound sales - Ahmedhodzic and Kieffer Moore - their club aren't necessarily looking to make permanent signings themselves.

One centre-back option wouldn't have been enough to cover things given the fitness states of Bindon and Robinson.

Blades haven't been afraid to spend big on loanees in the past, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi costing them a fair wedge last summer for his hit-and-miss temporary spell, so it'd be a surprise to see United completely walk away from the Godfrey deal, even with Atalanta's demands around wages.