Sheffield United could now have the chance to make their pitch to Wolves defender Conor Coady, after Everton decided not to buy him for £4.5m.
Coady had signed on loan for the Toffees last summer. In that deal, there was a clause for Everton to make his move to the club permanent for what many see as a bargain £4.5m.
However, The Athletic reports today that Everton will not be taking up that option and Coady will return to Wolves.
The door for a move back to Bramall Lane, then, could now be wide open.
Sheffield United given chance to sign Conor Coady
While there’s no mention of United being interested in The Athletic’s report, Coady had previously been deemed surplus to requirements at Wolves.
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Coady, then, is likely to move on this summer and he has indeed been linked with a move back to United.
The England international spent a loan spell with the Blades as a youngster and has fond memories of his time with the club.
Of course, paying a fee and wages for could prove problematic for United given the budget set to be available. But Wolves could decide to let Coady leave for nothing, which suits the Blades.
United are expected to only spend around £20m in the summer on transfers. Further money is there for loans and wages, but the actual transfer spend is set to be low.
Sheff U News View: Time to make a move
With uncertainty surrounding Coady’s immediate future, the time might well be now for United to make their move, or at least get in contact.
It’s clear Coady likes Sheffield United and that is a selling point Heckingbottom can try and use.
Naturally, there’ll be plenty of other clubs keen on Coady. A no-nonsense defender with international experience, he’s bound to have a number of suitors knocking on the door.
But the Blades can put themselves firmly in the mix here and make their case. If it falls on deaf ears, then so be it.
