Sheffield United should explore Derby County transfer to solve key Blades issue | OneFootball

Eiran Cashin has been superb for the Rams over the last few years, and could be suitable target if the Blades win promotion to the Premier League.

Sheffield United are in the midst of a search for a new centre-back to partner Anel Ahmedhodzic, with the battle for promotion in the Championship heating up.

The Blades are currently second in the table, just a point behind league leader Leeds United after 27 games.

However, an injury to Harry Souttar has left Chris Wilder's side light at the back, and there will be a great desire to see a new defender come from the door at Bramall Lane before the 3 February deadline.

Everton's Michael Keane has been linked with a move to Sheffield United, and a short-term loan option could be the easiest and quickest way for the Yorkshire side to find a replacement for Souttar. But, if promotion is won, Derby County could hold the key to the future of the back line in S2.

Sheffield United should target Eiran Cashin in the summer

Eiran Cashin has been spectacular for the Rams since making his debut in December 2021, and as the years have progressed, he has become a mainstay in the starting XI.

Paul Warne has made the 23-year-old captain on multiple occasions already this season, and he looks at home with the armband on. This will appeal to Wilder, with a natural leader something that the Blades need.

While a move this month will be nigh on impossible, the summer could leave Derby vulnerable to bids, especially if Sheffield United win promotion to the Premier League and the Rams taste relegation back to League One.

Cashin will have an ambition to play in the top flight sooner rather than later, and it looks unlikely that this can be provided for him at Pride Park, but Bramall Lane may just play host to Premier League football once again this year.

The Mansfield-born star is contracted until 2027, but with promotion comes financial benefits, and they could utilise some of that cash to bring the centre-back up to Yorkshire and help fix a problem that has plagued the Blades over the course of the last month.

Sheffield United may still need a short-term option

While Cashin could be a good option long-term, it is unlikely that Derby would let him go this month following injuries to both Curtis Nelson and Nat Phillips.

Nevertheless, competition will be, and already is, high for the young defender, with Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion tabling a bid for the 23-year-old, as per Pete O'Rourke. It is not the first time that the Seagulls have registered an interest and sent an offer to Warne for Cashin, having done so previously in the 2023 summer transfer window.

However, the threat of Brighton's new bid will be felt by Derby, and the Blades may have to react if they do have any interest themselves.

But, the Rams need cover themselves at centre-back, and they will not let go of one of their best players at this moment in time, so Sheffield United and the Seagulls may have to look elsewhere for a deal in January.

His potential is extremely high, and despite his shorter stature, his ability to win the ball in the air as well as his terrific one-on-one defending ability make him one of the Championship's most exciting young defenders.

Losing Souttar has been hard for the Blades, but they can ease the blow by replacing him with an experienced head like Keane for the rest of the season, before pushing to make a move for Cashin from Derby in the summer. However, the Rams may have a large asking price.