3 Vini Souza replacements Sheffield United must try and sign ASAP ft Liverpool midfielder | OneFootball

Sheffield United will be in the market for a new midfielder as Vini Souza closes in on a move to Wolfsburg.

Sheffield United are set to lose influential midfielder Vini Souza, as he closes in on a move to Wolfsburg.

It has been reported that a £13m fee has been agreed between the Bundesliga outfit and the Blades, with Souza undergoing a medical before the transfer is finalised.

That is a blow for Sheffield United, as Souza was very good last season, producing many dominant performances for Chris Wilder’s side as they reached the play-off final.

However, defeat to Sunderland meant keeping the 26-year-old at Bramall Lane seemed a long shot, and that’s proven to be the case.

Now, the recruitment team are focusing on bringing in a replacement, and we know that the Blades will use AI to help in their search.

But, the one benefit of Souza’s imminent exit is that the club are getting a decent fee, so it should give them more flexibility in the market as they look to add more quality to the squad.

And, here we look at THREE players who should be on their radar to help Ruben Selles’ side…

Boubacar Traore

Boubacar Traore has failed to establish himself as a regular at Wolves since his arrival three years ago, and, at 23, he needs to be playing football week in, week out if he is to fulfil his potential.

Whilst injury issues didn’t help last season, Traore made just two appearances in the Premier League, and he is not going to get in the XI ahead of Andre or Joao Gomes, so it’s imperative he sorts out a move, even if it is on loan.

Despite the lack of action, there’s no denying Traore is a good player, and he could become a standout individual in the Championship.

He is excellent at winning the ball back - like Souza, he covers the ground very well, and moves the ball quickly, so he would add bite and energy to the midfield.

Nectarios Triantis

Nectarios Triantis joined Sunderland in 2023 after impressing in Australia, but he has struggled to get near the first-team at the Stadium of Light, and their promotion to the Premier League means that’s not going to change.

The 22-year-old has been playing regularly though, having spent the past 18 months out on loan at Hibernian, and he was a starting figure under David Gray last season..

The Aussie stood out in the previous campaign, with his all-action displays in the middle of the park crucial as the Edinburgh outfit came third.

At 6ft 3in, he would replace Souza’s physicality, and whilst he isn’t at the level of the former Espanyol man just yet, you get the feeling Triantis has plenty of room to improve, and, with the right guidance, he could quickly blossom into a quality Championship midfielder.

Tyler Morton

Reuters

Tyler Morton would be a no-risk signing given he has shown his worth at this level out on loan with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.

The 2024/25 season ended on a high for Morton as he helped England under-21's to European Championship glory, but, on the club side, it was frustrating as he barely featured, which was understandable given the talent at Anfield.

Nevertheless, Morton - who Chris Wilder wanted to bring to Bramall Lane - will surely prioritise game time when he decides his next move, and that could give Sheffield United a chance, even if there will be competition for his signature.

The 22-year-old is a good, all-round midfielder and whilst any deal could take up all the Souza cash, Morton has the ability to dominate for the Blades, and if he helps them to promotion, it would be a shrewd investment.

Sheffield United's only issue is that the likes of Braga, Ajax, Club Brugge and West Ham are all interested, as per The Times, but there could be some convincing done to the England youth international that Bramall Lane is the best place for his future.