Sheffield United have doubts about the fitness of transfer target Terence Kongolo, according to The Daily Mail.
The Huddersfield Town defender broke his foot while on loan at Fulham earlier in the year. He’s since missed most of 2020 as a result.
Kongolo required surgery and metal reinforcement. This metal work then had to be removed before he could start playing again.
Medical tests have raised concerns about whether the Netherlands international is actually fully fit and therefore ready to play.
The Blades view Kongolo as a potential replacement for Jack O’Connell, who is expected to miss most of the 2020/21 campaign after having a knee operation.
Yet this latest news has cast that move into doubt.
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How much will Sheffield United have to pay for Kongolo?
It’s believed United have a free run to sign Kongolo, should they wish to, after Fulham pulled out of the race.
Yorkshire Live reports that the Cottagers’ interest has gone cold after signing Tosin Adarabioyo from Manchester City.
There’s speculation that they too may have been put off by Kongolo’s injury issues – which he first suffered in only his second appearance following his January loan switch to Craven Cottage.
AZ Alkmaar and Fenerbahce have also been previously linked with the 26-year-old, but nothing concrete has emerged.
If the Blades do decide they want to make a move for Kongolo, then The Yorkshire Post says it will cost them around £8m to sign him.
They do have an alternative target should they decide that the Dutchman isn’t fully fit. Preston North End’s Ben Davies is another left-sided centre-back interesting the South Yorkshire club.
Preston value Davies at around £10m.
The Blades are now limited to signing players from the EFL after the international transfer window shut at 11pm on Monday night. The deadline for landing Championship players is 5pm on October 16.