Sheffield United plot late transfer move for Sunderland player | OneFootball

The Blades are exploring a move for Leo Hjelde on transfer deadline day.

Sheffield United are exploring a deadline day move for Sunderland defender Leo Hjelde.

This is reported by The Star, who understands that the Blades have shifted their transfer plans due to a serious injury to full-back Sam McCallum in last weekend’s draw at Millwall.

McCallum was stretchered off at The Den, with Blades boss Chris Wilder admitting his season could be over.

It would leave Harrison Burrows as their only other senior left-back option, with the Yorkshire outfit requiring further depth to navigate their way through a relentless remainder of the Championship campaign.

Quality will be needed in all areas too, for Sheffield United to have the best possible chance of going on a positive vein of form and getting themselves involved in the play-off mix.

Sheffield United target deadline day move for Leo Hjelde

As per a report by The Star, Sheffield United are exploring a move to bring Sunderland defender Leo Hjelde to Bramall Lane on deadline day.

The Blades have reportedly had to change their transfer plans due to an untimely injury to Sam McCallum, with it emerging that he could be out for the season after being stretchered off last weekend.

It is believed Sheffield United were eyeing up central defensive reinforcements after losing Ben Godfrey earlier in the window and loaning Nils Zatterstrom to Genoa, but the Blades now want a player who is capable of playing in both central defence and at left-back.

This has led them to Hjedle, with the former Leeds United man comfortable playing in both positions and in the need of game-time after recently recovering from a big Achilles injury at the Stadium of Light.

There is an expectation that Hjedle will be allowed to leave Wearside on loan for the remainder of the campaign, with the defender falling down the pecking order following Sunderland’s revamp of the first-team squad on their return to the Premier League.

Sheffield United correct to try bring in versatile defender Leo Hjelde

Looking from the outside in, Sheffield United are doing the logical thing by making a move for Leo Hjelde.

He’s a versatile player in a backline, which will stand the club in great stead should any more injuries or suspensions crop up, he’s eager to play regular football after such a lengthy layoff, while he has got that much-needed Championship experience to enter the building and make an impact immediately.

One concern would be that he is only just coming back from such a significant injury, so it’s a case of whether his minutes will be managed to begin with in order for him to not suffer a setback and be back on the treatment table.

Otherwise, the Blades are pursuing the right player, and could really do with a versatile player like him in their ranks.