Sheffield United are linked with a move for Leicester City midfielder Daniel Amartey.
Football Insider reports that the Blades are interested in signing Amartey before the transfer window closes on August 8.
This comes on the same day that they signed their eighth player since earning promotion to the Premier League. Oli McBurnie has finally joined United from Swansea City in a club record deal worth up to £20m (BBC).
Yet manager Chris Wilder is not yet done improving his squad. Apparently Wilder is keen on signing a defensive midfielder who can also play as a centre-back.
Amartey certainly fits the bill, with the ability to operate in both positions. The 24-year-old’s top flight experience in England also appeals.
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Why Amartey is a better option than Arter for Sheffield United
(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The Ghana international is not the only midfielder the Blades have been linked with in recent times. According to the Irish Independent, Bournemouth’s Harry Arter is also on their radar.
In fact, of the four clubs interested in Arter, the South Yorkshire side are leading the way. That’s because they are the only ones who can offer the 29-year-old top flight football.
The others keen on the Irishman are Cardiff City, Fulham and Stoke City.
Yet perhaps that should come as a warning sign. Maybe the reason Arter is mainly attracting attention from the Championship is because that is his level.
After all, the Republic of Ireland international was solid – if unremarkable – on loan in a Cardiff team that was relegated from England’s top tier last season.
Not only that but Arter turns 30 in December. This limits both his resale value and chances of future development.
So Amartey is five years younger and far more versatile (the Ghanaian can also play at right-back). Perhaps the only downside is experience, with Arter playing around twice as many Premier League games (94 in comparison to 46).
In every other department Amartey shines through, though, and seems much more of a ‘Wilder signing.’
