Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is being patient as he waits to finalise his two Premier League loans.
The Blades boss has already admitted he is willing to go to the final day. As it stands, a number of names remain in the frame, including Manchester City’s James McAtee and Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri.
Naturally, United’s preference would surely be to get McAtee in, given his success last season.
And looking over at Manchester City, it seems the path to signing McAtee might just be getting a bit clearer.
City are making some late moves in the market which will push McAtee further down the order. Pep Guardiola is close to landing Belgian winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes.
Meanwhile, City have now also made a move for Wolves centre-midfielder, Matheus Nunes.
Effectively, that’s two players who automatically shunt McAtee down the pecking order at The Etihad, given their positions. McAtee can play wide or centrally as we know. Of course, Nunes ticks the central box while Doku is a rapid winger.
It seems, then, that Paul Heckingbottom’s patience might well pay off and come next week, we might just see James McAtee back in red and white.
Sheffield United News View: McAtee over Doyle now for Blades
The signings of Gus Hamer and Vini Souza, as well as the arrival of Tom Davies, mean that there’s no longer a desperation for central midfielders at Bramall Lane.
It’s all about adding at the top of the pitch now and if we can sign McAtee, then it’s perfect. He was instrumental last season in us winning promotion and he could come straight into the team without any real settling in period.
Of course, if we can sign Pellistri as well then that’s a bonus on top.
This feels like a big week for United and really, a defining one.