Sheffield United set to answer boss’s transfer prayers as Japhet Tanganga, Ben Godfrey deals edge closer.
Sheffield United are likely to answer manager Ruben Selles’ transfer prayers as they close in on a double defensive deal, with other reinforcements at the back on the way. The Blades’ defence is visibly weak ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
Selles and his recruitment team had made the area a priority even before Anel Ahmedhodzic left for Feyenoord earlier this month. That only emphasized the need for more arrivals in that area, with Rhys Norrington-Davies serving as an emergency centre-half against Bristol City on the opening day.
Selles has had to be patient in the weeks since, particularly in light of two more defeats at Birmingham City and Swansea City, as his reign at Bramall Lane has started poorly.
But that patience is about to pay off after Ben Godfrey, the former Everton player, flew to England to finalize his loan move from Atalanta. As we discovered earlier this summer, United had to cover at least a significant portion of his salaries, but he will play an important role in Selles’ strategy as a player who can play both at right back and in the centre.
The Star has been unable to confirm reports that the deal includes a permanent option or obligation, but he could be joined at Bramall Lane by Millwall centre-back Japhet Tanganga, who United had previously targeted during the January transfer window earlier this year. Because of a release clause in his contract, he is available for a discount amount estimated to be slightly more than £1 million.
Sheffield United set to answer boss’s transfer prayers as Japhet Tanganga, Ben Godfrey deals edge closer
Unfortunately for United, that clause can only be used by Premier League clubs, and talks with authorities at The Den are already underway regarding a contract for more than that amount. Tanganga offers both a proven option at this level and the opportunity to climb up if the Blades return to the Premier League.
The Lions rejected down a handful of offshore proposals for the former Tottenham Hotspur player earlier this month and had been attempting to tie him down to a new contract to keep him in London. MIllwall will travel to Bramall Lane this weekend to face Selles’ team.
If United wanted either player – or both – to be eligible for that game, they needed to register by the 12pm deadline on Friday afternoon. It appears improbable that Millwall would approve that in time for their former player to play against them, and it will be interesting to watch if his name appears on the teamsheet before kickoff at Bramall Lane.
Millwall are said to have made contingency arrangements in case Tanganga is sold during current transfer window, even if manager Alex Neil hopes he stays until the September 1 deadline. “I think another big thing for us is to make sure we don’t lose anybody before the window ends,” he told reporters at the Den. “Both sides of that are important.”
As we reported last week, United have invited former Burnley and Brentford player Ben Mee to train at Shirecliffe with a view to signing a contract at Bramall Lane, while the Blades are also interested in Malmo centre-back Nils Zatterstrom, who has one senior cap for Sweden.
The kid is expected to require an exemption to qualify for a work permit, as United just cleared a squad spot by selling Peruvian Jefferson Caceres to Dunfermline. Former poker player James Bord owns the Scottish club, and he is now playing an important role in United’s recruitment plan alongside the Blades’ new American ownership group.
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