According to Football Insider, Sheffield United face competition from Fulham for Leicester City midfielder Daniel Amartey.
The Blades have made an approach to Leicester about the availability of Amartey. They are yet to decide on the future of the Ghana international.
Now the Cottagers have also made contact with the Foxes. New manager Scott Parker in the market for recruits in central midfield following the departure of Jean Michael Seri and Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa.
Amartey has struggled to hold down a regular first team place since first arriving at the King Power Stadium from FC Copenhagen in January 2016.
The 24-year-old has played 64 times for the club to date, although did get a Premier League winner’s medal that first season.
Why Sheffield should remain favourites for Amartey
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Of course what United can now offer Amartey that the Whites no longer can is top flight football. That should give them the advantage if it come to a straight choice between the two clubs.
The reason the Blades are reportedly interested in Amartey is because he can play in two positions then need to strengthen. Generally considered a defensive midfielder, the Ghanaian can also operate in central defence.
Manager Chris Wilder earned promotion last year with a 3-4-1-2 formation. At times it did become a 3-5-2 when Wilder wanted to be more conservative.
Having someone defensively minded to complement the likes of John Fleck and Oliver Norwood would prove useful.
Not only that but Amartey could also fill in as one of the three central defenders if required. In fact his experience playing further up the pitch might help him better adjust to Wilder’s overlapping centre-back system.
The versatility of Amartey doesn’t end there, either. He can play as a right-back as well, meaning extra cover should either George Baldock or Kieron Freeman become unavailable.