Sheffield United man set to leave in 2027? Norwich & Southampton must be on alert | OneFootball

Femi Seriki is out of contract at Sheffield United next summer, as Norwich City and Southampton should be on alert

Sheffield United haven't had the most ideal of starts to the 2026/27 Championship campaign, as Chris Wilder heads into the first international break under intense pressure.

Sheffield United have lost four out of their five league games, including a 1-0 defeat away to League Two Fleetwood Town in the League Cup, as the Blades sit just four points above the Championship relegation zone after eight games.

A summer under heavy financial constraints hasn't helped their case, relying on frees such as Matt Doherty and Jordan Ayew, and loans such as Ben Brereton Diaz, Liam Kitching, and Kalvin Phillips.

That, as well as the departures of Andre Brooks, Gustavo Hamer, and Callum O'Hare, has left the Blades in a bit of a predicament, and looking ahead to next season, they have some big decisions to make regarding the contracts of current players, including right-back Femi Seriki.

Why Championship clubs will be interested in Sheffield United's Femi Seriki

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Seriki, 24, joined Sheffield United in 2019 from Bury after the Greater Manchester outfit fell into liquidation, and from there, the defender progressed through the Blades' ranks to the first team.

He would spend time out on loan with Beerschot, Boston United, Rochdale, and Rotherham United before becoming a consistent member of the Blades' first-team squad in the 2024/25 campaign.

The Englishman has since gone on to make 74 appearances for Sheffield United across all competitions, but has missed a large portion of the beginning of this season due to injury.

When fit, Seriki's place at right-back is almost certainly nailed on, and with his current contract due to expire next summer with no indication of an extension clause, Football League World has taken a look at two Championship clubs that should be monitoring his situation closely.

Norwich City

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Norwich City have had a tricky start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning three of their opening eight and losing the other five, including a 4-3 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in their most recent fixture, as Philippe Clement will be glad to see the arrival of the international break.

The Canaries had a fairly low-key summer, as aside from the £8 million capture of Andre Brooks from Sheffield United, only Sam Field, Bruno Alves, Darlin Yongwa, and Anthony Musaba arrived in Norfolk with minimal expenditure.

The Canaries can boast each of Jack Stacey, Kellen Fisher, Lucien Mahovo, Ben Chrisene, and Yongwa in the full-back areas, as Clement is certainly not struggling when it comes to options in those areas.

However, Stacey is now 30 and could be moved on sooner rather than later; Mahovo and Chrisene are yet to nail down a spot on the side, and Fisher has been linked with Premier League clubs in recent windows.

Norwich have already shown a willingness to shop at Sheffield United with the addition of Brooks, and ought to be looking to rekindle the wingers' relationship down the right flank with Seriki in the summer on a free transfer.

At 24, Seriki is among the best full-backs in the division, and on a free transfer, the majority of the Championship will likely be snooping around for his services.

Norwich should be launching themselves to the front of the queue for his signature, giving Brooks some familiarity down the right flank and, if Fisher does move on, a long-term heir at right-back.

On a free transfer, there is a lot to like about Seriki, as Norwich should be registering their interest ASAP.

Southampton

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Southampton, by the time Seriki becomes a free agent, will be hoping that they are a Premier League club once again, having had a solid start to the new season under Tonda Eckert, despite the lingering possibility of the German still being banned for his role in 'spygate'.

Even if they are a top flight club once again, they should still be looking at Seriki as a potential option at right-back, with James Bree being the club's only real senior option at the moment.

Bree, 28, has been excellent under Eckert since his recall from his loan spell with Charlton Athletic last January, but could do with some competition in that area of the pitch, which Seriki would more than offer.

At 24, Seriki could be ready to take the next step of his career, and a move to Southampton would allow him to do that.

Regardless of what division they find themselves in, Southampton would be remiss to turn their noses up at the potential free addition of the Sheffield United star, who would provide depth and immediate competition for the starting role at St Mary's upon his arrival.