Sheffield United are not quite done in the transfer window and are reportedly among the teams looking to sign Southampton’s Sekou Mara.
Young striker Mara is not one of Russell Martin’s regular starters on the south coast and has only scored two goals in 16 games this season, including one against Sheffield Wednesday recently.
However, that hasn’t stopped interest in Mara forming and according to the Guardian’s Ed Aarons, United are one of the teams keen on him.
Taking to social media to share the update, Aarons names the Blades among the teams keen but says as yet, Southampton are unwilling to allow him out on loan.
Sheffield United interested in signing Sekou Mara
Mara was signed by Southampton for around £11m when Ralph Hasenhuttl was in charge but has not really had the impact he’d want.
At the moment, it would seem odd for United to move for Mara if it is to be loan deal.
Chris Wilder spoke earlier today about using his loan to bring in a new defender. And given the names of Joe Worrall, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey have all been mentioned, using that domestic loan on Mara instead would seem a touch backwards.
Further, Mara doesn’t have Premier League experience and at the moment, is probably no better than what United already have in attacking areas.
Right now, the focus is on bringing in a defender to improve things, rather than a young forward.
Of course, if there’s scope for a permanent deal here, or maybe with one of the defenders being linked, things could change.
But as it stands, it would be a massive surprise to see United move for Mara.
Mara, 21, has four caps for the France under-21s and has started just a single game this season for Southampton. That game was a 5-0 loss at Sunderland and he’s not been in the starting XI since.
Make of that what you will.