West Ham and Wolves have held talks with Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedzoci but Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town are now confident of winning the race.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton Wanderers side are closing in on the £4.3 million signing of Nantes teenager Bastien Meupiyou but, following the departure of captain Max Kilman, a more senior option is also required at Molineux.
HITC understands that Wolves have shown an interest in Burnley’s Dara O’Shea.
The Black Country outfit have also held talks with Anel Ahmedhodzic, though a move to the Midlands appears unlikely as things stand with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town side in pole position.
Ipswich lead race for Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic
The Tractor Boys have enjoyed an impressive window so far.
Ipswich have brought in the Championship’s Golden Boot winner in former Blackburn Rovers talisman Sammie Szmodics. Conor Townsend and Jacob Greaves have also arrived from West Brom and Hull City to strengthen McKenna’s backline with goalkeeper Aro Muric snapped up after a spell at Burnley.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja is set to join on loan too, while HITC have been told that Ipswich are also in talks to sign Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.
Ahmedhodzic struggled in his one and only Premier League campaign so far. He was part of that Sheffield United side which finished rock bottom, conceding a competition-record 104 goals along the way.
The one-time Nottingham Forest youngster is keen to belatedly prove himself in the top-flight, however, with a move to Anglia likely to appeal. In addition to Wolves, Brentford and West Ham have also held talks with Malmo-born Ahmedhodzic.
The Hammers have already signed the aforementioned Kilman while snatching Jean-Clair Todibo from under the noses of Juventus.
Ahmedhodzic, who represented Sweden at international level before shifting to Bosnia, might find regular starts more difficult to come by then at the London Stadium compared to some of his other potential landing spots.
West Ham United and Wolves have also held talks
According to Swedish publication Fotboll Direkt, the 6ft 5ins Ahmedhodzic has a release clause worth around £17 million in his Sheffield United contract.
Chris Wilder’s Blades have already lost William Osula to Newcastle this summer. The former Middlesbrough and Watford boss is keen to point out, meanwhile, that Sheffield United will be prepared for any eventuality between now and the end of the window.
“You never know, but we’re ready,” Wilder told the Sheffield Star when asked about Ahmedhodzic’s potential departure from Brammal Lane. “Part of the jobs of Jamie (Hoyland, chief scout) and Mikey (Allen, head of recruitment) is to cover that off as well.
“So if (Ahmedhodzic leaves), we’ll deal with it. But I don’t want to lose anybody. And if we do, we have to cover it off with quality and with experience and like-for-like replacements, in my opinion.
“And if it comes to it, hopefully we’ll be able to do that.”
HITC understands, meanwhile, that should Brentford miss out on both O’Shea and Ahmedhodzic, Thomas Frank’s side could offer Sepp van den Berg a route out of Liverpool.
Van den Berg is keen to play regular first-team football. Liverpool are demanding more than £20 million, however, according to the sporting director of Brentford’s fellow suitors Mainz.
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