Sheffield United are normally one of the quieter clubs when it comes to the January transfer window. And this time around, even when we do have a couple of targets, there seems to be mass interest.
The Blades have already missed out to Bournemouth when it comes to James Hill. Paul Heckingbottom admitted Hill was one the club had watched, but the then-Fleetwood man has signed with Scott Parker’s promotion chasers.
And another defender who United want, John Souttar, is also a wanted man this month. Souttar is said to be of interest to a number of teams including Rangers, Nottingham Forest, and Stoke. However, according to regular Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas, Souttar will end up in one place only. And that’s Ibrox.
“John Souttar has several options to move on but unless there is a club who could provide him with a realistic pathway to the English Premier League then I can only see him going to Rangers,” Nicholas wrote in the Daily Express.
“The English clubs who are interested in him – the likes of Nottingham Forest and Blackburn – will have made the defender very good financial offers. I would expect Rangers to match what is on the table because he is a free transfer.
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“Rangers have made a push for him and by all accounts Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made his move personally and that could sway his decision.”
Souttar is highly-rated in Scotland after his shows for Hearts. He is so highly-thought of that teammate Andy Halliday once claimed he was worth at least £12m. Quite the praise from the former Rangers man.
John Souttar Blow For Sheffield United
We predicted this already on Sheffield United News, but if Rangers come knocking with a serious offer then Souttar will find it hard to say no. And so it seems it will be the case.
Nicholas is, of course, just making his own prediction. But there’s every chance he’s got wind of the mood in Scotland with this one. Further, Van Bronckhorst’s personal intervention could make a big difference.
Unfortunately for Sheffield United and Heckingbottom, it looks like another might slip the net. But, we move on, and with a bit of luck come the end of the month, we have a new defender through the door.