Sheffield United came into this transfer window with a clear priority to add defensive cover to their ranks.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the following was noted by Tim Thornton and Richard Graves: “The Blades are on the hunt for cover, mostly – specifically at centre-back to help the likes of Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell in the right and left centre-half positions.”
A number of defenders have since been linked to the club in the January market. Two names include Ipswich’s Luke Woolfenden and Anderlecht’s Elias Cobbaut.
However, the most eye-catching of names is former World Cup finalist Domagoj Vida. The Croatian currently plays his football for Turkish outfit Besiktas but they are keen to get him off their wage bill.
As a result, Sheffield United have now been touted as a potential destination for the 30-year-old.
Vida played a vital part in Croatia’s run in Russia during the summer of 2018 and he even kept a clean sheet against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
18 months on from their journey to the final, would he be a good signing for the Blades? We asked those at Football FanCast towers to provide their answers.
Lewis Blain:
“Sheffield United are looking for defensive cover in the window to make up for Chris Wilder’s first blunder, signing Jack Rodwell. The forgotten man has already got himself injured, just days after earning a contract and the Blades boss would be making another mistake if he settles for Domagoj Vida this month.
“The club are known for being smart in the transfer market, as shown in their astute business over recent years which has led to them gaining promotion from the Championship and currently sitting inside the top six in the Premier League.
“Vida joining the club would do more harm than good as he could arrive as the club’s highest-earner straight off the bat. A truly astonishing move that would ruffle a few feathers as the average wage packet at Bramall Lane is just £19,158, three times less than what the Croatian may command.
“Wilder must not make a Wednesday-like financial move with FFP now a big part of the top-flight equation.”
Danny Lewis: “Sheffield United need defensive cover, but it is more important for them to stick to their values and stay within their means. A player earning more money is not a sign that they will make the biggest impact. That’s already been shown at Bramall Lane with Phil Jagielka only making one start and three substitute appearances in the league this season, despite being their highest earner.“With that in mind, it has to be considered whether it would be wise for Chris Wilder and the decision-makers at the club to pay another ageing defender even more money, while there is no guarantee he will start. The answer is no, that would be a foolish idea, so they should steer well clear.” Billy Meyers: “Chris Wilder must steer clear of a move for Vida. He is approaching his 31st birthday and I don’t think this would be a wise move at all, given the obvious harmony amongst the squad evidenced through their admirable position in the table. That’s despite the side mainly being made up of those who played in the Championship last season too.“Signing the Croatia international and placing him on a large pay packet would be a risk, as if he doesn’t perform, the likes of Chris Basham and others could quite rightly begin to ask for a wage increase. Additionally, the Blades have the second-sternest backline in the Premier League having conceded just 21 goals this season – only Liverpool have a better record. Contrastingly, Wilder’s side have scored the sixth-fewest, so maybe the club should focus their recruitment on more attack-minded players.” Can you remember how much each of these transfer icons cost? Only experts will get 100% on our quiz… Matt Dawson:
“Links to Vida are indicative of just how far the Blades have come since being promoted to the Premier League. The Croat is a player with huge experience and his performances at the World Cup in 2018 prove he has what it takes to perform on the biggest of stages. During his campaign in Russia, the 30-year-old was involved in two goals, as well as keeping both Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero quiet in a 3-0 win for Croatia during the knockout stages.
“That, however, was a long time ago and Sheffield United now need to work out whether his high wages would be worth it, particularly for a side who has a settled backline. The Blades have conceded just 21 goals from 22 matches in the top-flight this term while Vida is on a weekly salary of €75,423 (£64,279). That puts him above everyone already at Bramall Lane but if they have desires of reaching another level, players of Vida’s calibre are what’s needed. Wilder must bring the 79-cap man to Yorkshire.”
In other Blades news, Chris Wilder has provided an update on the future of Billy Sharp…