It could be a busy end to the January transfer window for Sheffield United.
The Sheffield Star reports that Scott Hogan is set to join the Blades on loan. Aston Villa have told the striker is he is free to leave before Thursday’s deadline.
Bristol City are believed to be among a number of other Championship sides also interested in Hogan. However, the 26-year-old has made it clear Bramall Lane is his preferred destination.
Heading in the opposite direction out of the club is Leon Clarke. According to Football Insider, Clarke has agreed terms with Wigan Athletic and will join them on loan until the end of this season.
Good transfer window for United?
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Hogan has been on Chris Wilder’s radar for some time. In fact a deal was almost struck for the Republic of Ireland international back in the summer.
Hogan was ready to switch to South Yorkshire but the transfer eventually fell through. The forward later publicly criticised former Villa manager Steve Bruce over the decision.
Hogan has fallen out of favour at Villa Park, making just six league appearances (all from the bench) this season. Yet he was once coveted by the Birmingham club, who paid Brentford a fee rising to £12m (BBC) for the Irishman in January 2017.
Hogan had previously been prolific for the Bees, scoring 21 Championship goals in his last 32 games.
As for Clarke, he gained hero status with the Blades in 2017/18 after scoring 19 league goals. Unfortunately, this term the 33-year-old has only managed 3 strikes in 24 matches – partly due to injuries.
After also taking their respective ages into account, Hogan does seem like an upgrade on Clarke.
Wilder has already secured two Premier League loanees this window in Kieran Dowell and Gary Madine. January is shaping up to be a decent month for United.
