Sheffield United told why they should complete "low risk" Crystal Palace transfer | OneFootball

Sheffield United have been linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad this January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United are targeting reinforcements before the end of the January transfer window, and have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad on loan.

It hasn't been the season that Blades fans would have been hoping for, having narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season.

The Ruben Selles appointment went far from planned, and Chris Wilder promptly resumed his role in the Bramall Lane dugout just months after he had been dismissed by the club.

Now, Sheffield United are looking up, having climbed their way from the depths of the relegation zone to setting their sights on the play-off picture.

Ki-Jana Hoever has joined from Wolves on loan this month, and for now, remains their only January arrival, though it is expected that the South Yorkshire outfit will be delving into the market sooner rather than later once more, with just days of the window remaining.

As per Alan Nixon, the Blades have been linked with a loan switch for Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad, who has spent the bulk of the campaign out with an injury, but may be allowed to leave Selhurst Park this month to earn some minutes.

Sheffield United have been linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad this January

Football League World's Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy, has shared their views on the links to Crystal Palace's Riad and whether he is a player that the Blades could benefit from signing this month.

Jimmy said: "There's always a bit of concern, I think, when a player's had a long-term injury like that. But I think it's quite low risk for all parties, really."We need some reinforcements in defence, and this is a really sort of high potential, you know, big-money signing that Crystal Palace have made."He's played, you know, like I said, a prominent role for Betis before, and if he can replicate that form for Sheffield United, then we're only going to benefit."The alternative is he can't really overcome his injuries and doesn't get much game time. But again, I think that's low risk with it being a loan deal."It's only going to benefit Crystal Palace. If they can't find a spot for him at the minute, they want him to play regular football; we could certainly offer him that. I think it's got the potential to be a really good move for all parties."

Chris Wilder may be looking for more reinforcements this January at Sheffield United

With Riad being the latest player linked with Sheffield United this month, he will likely not be the last.

Wilder rejoined the Blades following the closure of the summer window, and did not have the luxury of preparing his squad for this campaign as he would have hoped, reflected in the double signing of Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford on free transfers whilst outside the window.

Their back line has been somewhat all over the place this campaign, with each of Tyler Bindon, Mark McGuinness, Japhet Tanganga, and Ben Mee all having covered in the heart of defence across the season to varying degrees of success.

A product of the famous Barcelona La Masia system before shining for Real Betis in La Liga, Riad made the £14 million move to South London in the summer of 2024, but injuries have hindered his first 18 months with Palace.

Now, it looks like Sheffield United are offering him the perfect platform to get his career up and running again after a lengthy spell out of action, with a move to Bramall Lane on the cards.