Sheffield United are looking to plan for the future and are keen on making a move for USA international defender, John Tolkin.
Tolkin, 21, has been in in fine form for the New York Redbulls and is attracting attention from a number of clubs over in Europe.
According to US outlet Fansided, who cite MLS Transfers, Sheffield United and West Brom are among the teams in England keen on signing Tolkin.
However, there is also interest in the left-back from the Red Bull clubs, Salzburg and Leipzig. And with New York obviously being owned by the same franchise, a move to Austria and then Germany is seen as the most likely route at the moment.
Sheffield United interested in John Tolkin
Tolkin has had quite the 12 months over in the MLS and provided and impressive nine assists and three goals in 30 appearances last term.
For United, a new left-back could be on the agenda given it’s been a hugely problematic position for the club this season.
Despite having a number of players there, injuries and poor form have hindered things. Rhys Norrington-Davies seems a long way off coming back, while Max Lowe is also still out. Summer signing Yasser Larouci has looked off the pace when he’s played, leaving another loanee, Luke Thomas, to have the shirt for now.
Clearly, Paul Heckingbottom wants someone in permanently with one eye on the future. Tolkin, then, could be the man for United’s budget in January.
Sheffield United News View: Left-back needs addressing
There’s definitely a bit of a problem for the Blades when it comes to that left side. It’s a real shame about Norrington-Davies and even if he does come back this year, he’s not going to be up to speed for some time.
Max Lowe has never quite looked the part and the summer signings, albeit Thomas has done ok at times, have hardly laid down a marker either.
Signing someone with such a high ceiling like Tolkin would make sense. At 21 and already a full international, there’s clearly a lot of potential there. Cited by CIES as one of the world’s ‘most promising left-backs’, Tolkin has obviously got a lot going for him.
Of course, Red Bull might have something to say about things and in the end, a move to Salzburg does appear the most sensible and likely option here.
However, it’s good to see United in for these sorts of players and if he does arrive in January, it would be another welcome addition.