Sources: 28-year-old set to fly into England as Sheffield United strike £2m deal

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Sheffield United are on the verge of signing Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Ivo Grbic in a deal worth around £2million.

HITC understands Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Ivo Grbic is flying into England on Wednesday to complete a move to Sheffield United. 

The Blades have struck a deal worth £2million with Grbic now on the verge of completing his move to Bramall Lane.

Manager Chris Wilder wanted a new goalkeeper during this January window and now he is getting one with Grbic poised to join.

Who is Sheffield United target Ivo Grbic?

Grbic was born in Split and started his career with Dalmatinac Split before moving to the city’s main club, Hajduk Split.

A giant 6ft 5in stopper, Grbic only played 10 first-team games for Hajduk before moving to Croatian rivals Lokomotiva in 2018.

Grbic impressed with Lokomotiva and landed himself a big move to Spain with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid since in 2020.

Signed as cover and competition for Jan Oblak, Grbic has struggled for first-team action and has played just 14 times for Atletico.

Lille pounced with a 2021 loan move for Grbic, where he played 29 times and conceded 35 goals.

A regular for Croatia at youth level in his early days, Grbic has landed just two caps at senior level and may see the Premier League as a way to earn a few more caps.

Who else did Sheffield United look at?

Wilder made a new goalkeeper a top priority this month, seeking top competition for Wes Foderingham between the sticks.

Grbic wasn’t the only target though and HITC reported earlier this month that a couple of big names were on the radar at Bramall Lane.

Kasper Schmeichel and Paris Saint-Germain veteran Keylor Navas were both wanted before Sheffield United decided to go with Grbic.

£2million is a bargain price and Grbic will be desperate to become a long-term number one again.

Grbic doesn’t quite have the name value of Schmeichel or Navas, but Sheffield United could get more long-term value from Grbic as he prepares to make the move to South Yorkshire.