Sheffield United plot loan agreement for £9m Everton FC midfielder | OneFootball

Iroegbunam could be tempted into a temporary Bramall Lane switch.

Sheffield United are plotting a loan move for Tim Iroegbunam, who struggled for regular game time during his first season with Everton last season.

That is according to a fresh report from Alan Nixon via Patreon, as the Blades look to mould a promotion-chasing squad under the management of Ruben Selles in the most cost-effective manner.

Selles was appointed in mid-June after Chris Wilder departed his boyhood club for the second time, with American ownership group, COH Sports, adopting an AI-led approach to transfer dealings, with the Spaniard's know-how in this particular field a key reason behind his move to Bramall Lane after being dismissed by fellow Yorkshire outfit, Hull City.

United missed out on an immediate return to the Premier League after seeing Sunderland mount a dramatic comeback in the Championship play-off final two months ago, leaving the club vulnerable to losing several key players, which has already been the case as combative midfielder, Vini Souza, departed for Bundesliga outfit, Wolfsburg.

Sheffield United plot loan move for Everton FC's Tim Iroegbunam

As previously mentioned, the South Yorkshire side have taken a different approach to their transfer strategy in the first full season of COH Sports' ownership, which has already seen four signings come through the door, two of whom are known to Selles extremely well through his time at the MKM Stadium and at Reading in League One as Tyler Bindon and Louie Barry moved to S2 on loan.

It was exclusively revealed by Football League World earlier in the month that the club were looking heavily into the loan and free agent market after being successful in both during Wilder's final season, one which saw them accumulate 92 points, seeing two of those wiped out due to a pre-season points deduction.

Nixon's aforementioned update showcases that United are clearly looking to press further forward with this strategy, as they look to fend off unnamed competition for the services of Iroegbunam on a temporary basis from the Merseyside outfit.

The young midfielder moved to Everton from Aston Villa last June for £9m in Sean Dyche's final transfer window in charge, having previously made 19 senior appearances for Villa, coming through the academy setup at Bodymoor Heath after initially being poached from West Midlands rivals, West Bromwich Albion.

Iroegbunam made 18 Premier League appearances - only five of which were starts - for the Toffees last season, registering a solitary assist in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in a 2-2 draw against eventual champions, Liverpool.

The Birmingham-born man also has prior Championship experience to call upon, having made 32 appearances and scoring two goals in an impressive loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the 2022/23 campaign under Michael Beale, Neil Critchley and Gareth Ainsworth respectively.

Tim Iroegbunam would be a smart addition to Sheffield United's midfield

Having lost the quality and combativeness which Souza brought to the Blades' midfield last term, moving for the 22-year-old on a temporary basis would be a deal that represents all parties at this moment in time.

Despite making 30 appearances in the top-flight thus far, some would argue that Iroegbunam isn't quite at the level required to source regular starts under David Moyes right now, meaning a drop back into the EFL with a side expected to challenge for a play-off spot once again at the bare minimum would be an exciting proposition.

According to Capology - a site which ESTIMATES player earnings - the former England youth international has a weekly salary of £20,000 per week with Everton.

If a loan move is agreed, there is a possibility that the two clubs could be splitting the costs in some form, which aligns with Sheffield United's bid to reach the Premier League in an efficient manner, rather than going gung-ho when it comes to initial fees.