Sheffield United submit blockbuster 7-figure bid for Coventry City’s Bobby Thomas | OneFootball

Bobby Thomas is on Sheffield United's radar as they look for defensive reinforcements

Sheffield United have launched a huge bid for Coventry City centre-back Bobby Thomas as they look to reinforce their back-line following Anel Ahmedhodzic's departure to Dutch giants Feyenoord.

The Bosnian waved goodbye to Bramall Lane recently as a £7 million deal was agreed with the Rotterdam outfit, but the Blades' incoming transfer progress has been slow, with just three loanees arriving this summer, as well as young duo Ehije Ukaki and Mihail Polendakov.

Frustration has grown among the fanbase at owners COH Sports' lack of backing in the summer transfer window, and it has come from head coach Ruben Selles too, but they are now looking to move - and seemingly in a big way.

Sheffield United bid for Coventry City defender Bobby Thomas

After shipping four goals at home to Bristol City on the opening weekend of the season, Sheffield United are desperate for at least one new defender, and Hull City's Charlie Hughes was on their radar recently.

The Blades have not bid for Hughes though, but divisional rivals Coventry did, and they had a £7 million offer turned down for the ex-Wigan man, as per Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett.

Now though, Sheffield United have switched attentions to a new target, and in somewhat of a curveball, they have taken aim at Coventry's first-choice defender.

Bobby Thomas is now United's main target at the back, and they have bid a mammoth £8 million, as per Pete O'Rourke.

Signed from Burnley in 2023 for a fee of around £2 million, Thomas has been a regular for Cov in the last two Championship seasons, racking up 84 outings across those two campaigns.

It remains to be seen if United can get a deal done, but they are finally looking to spend some money after a summer of very little activity in the incoming phase.

Bobby Thomas' Coventry City contract situation as Sheffield United interest emerges

When arriving at the CBS Arena two years ago, Thomas signed a four-year deal with Coventry, which means that he still has just under two years remaining on his contract.

It means that Coventry - who evidently want a new centre-back themselves - will be under no pressure to sell for anything under what they perceive to be Thomas' valuation, given the fact they also want to add in that department.

With 3.4 aerial duels won per Championship game on average last season, 5.6 clearances per game and five goals at the other end of the pitch, Thomas is a threat in both boxes, and it's easy to see why United are making him a prime target.