Sheffield United are interested in signing Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah on loan, according to Football Insider.
Norwich City are also keen on Chalobah as both clubs look to strengthen their squads following promotion.
The deadline for Premier League and EFL sides to make new signings is at 10pm on Thursday. Both Norwich and the Blades apparently view Chalobah as a top target.
The 24-year-old has been at Vicarage Road for two years after joining from Chelsea for around £5m. That first season Chalobah only played six times after suffering a serious knee injury.
Then last term the England international managed just 13 appearances as Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure emerged as the preferred central midfield partnership.
Now the top flight new boys are hoping the offer of regular first team football will convince the Hornets to loan out Chalobah.
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Why Chalobah could be good for Sheffield United
United have been busy this summer, already signing eight new players and breaking their transfer record four times.
Attack was their most pressing concern, but the arrival of Callum Robinson, Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie has addressed that.
However, they still arguably need more options in central midfield. John Fleck and Oliver Norwood impressed their last year and are likely to retain their places for the new campaign.
John Lundstram will provide backup and competition, as will new signing Ben Osborn. Fellow newbies Luke Freeman and Ravel Morrison can also operate a little deeper, although are more comfortable in the number ten role.
At times in 2018/19 Wilder altered his usual system to play a more conservative 3-5-2 formation. That is likely to remain the case in a higher division.
Having someone like Chalobah – who is more defensively minded – to call upon would be very useful. Not only that, but he also has experience as a centre-back, so could therefore fill in as one of the three in Wilder’s back line.