Exclusive: Sheffield United explore transfer move for Sunderland’s former Leeds United, Celtic man after late-window blow
Sheffield United are exploring another transfer approach to Premier League side Sunderland ahead of tonight’s 7pm transfer deadline, The Star understands. The Blades’ late-window plans shifted dramatically after a serious injury to Sam McCallum in Saturday’s draw at Millwall.
The left-back was stretchered off after receiving lengthy treatment on the field, including gas and air pain relief, and boss Chris Wilder admitted afterwards that the fear is McCallum’s season could be over.
That would leave Harrison Burrows as United’s only senior left back and subsequently altered United’s plans going into the final straight of a quiet January transfer window so far.
The Blades were already eyeing up central defensive reinforcements after losing Ben Godfrey earlier in the window and also loaning Nils Zatterstrom to Genoa. But McCallum’s blow has seen them shift their search slightly to a player also capable of playing at left-back.
That has led them to Leo Hjelde, the former Leeds United man and now of Sunderland who can operate at both centre-half and left back. United tried to sign his former Sunderland teammate Dan Neil earlier in the window before he went to Ipswich Town.
But that has not disssuaded them from considering another approach to the Stadium of Light, with the expectation on Wearside that Hjelde would be allowed to leave on loan before the deadline.
He is now fully fit after a big Achilles injury that kept him out for a significant time and was involved with Regis Le Bris’ squad over Christmas. But his options were bolstered with the return of players who had left for African Cup of Nations duty and the former Norway Under-21 international was pushed back down the pecking order.
Hjelde first moved to Britain with Celtic before moving to Leeds United and enjoying a subsequent loan spell at Rotherham United ahead of his move to Sunderland. He was introduced as an 89th minute substitute as the Black Cats beat the Blades in last season’s play-off final to book their return to the Premier League, and condemn United to another season in the Championship.
Speaking previously about Hjelde, Sunderland boss Le Bris said: “Even if he is not a full back specifically, he can play this role for us, because in our system we play with wide wingers and our full backs are more inside to support the triangles.
"For me it was clear that he could provide this support for the centre back and left back positions. He has been really important for us and he deserved this chance. He played well, he has been really important for us."
Continue Reading