Sheffield United reach breakthrough in push to sign Vini Souza replacement | OneFootball

Sheffield United reach breakthrough in push to sign Vini Souza replacement | OneFootball

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·1 August 2025

Sheffield United reach breakthrough in push to sign Vini Souza replacement

Article image:Sheffield United reach breakthrough in push to sign Vini Souza replacement

Some issues with the deal have had to be overcome to get to this point.

Sheffield United are closing in on the signing of a midfielder who could help to fill the void left by Vinicius Souza.


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Souza left Bramall Lane early in July for just under £13 million to join Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. The rugged defensive midfielder played a huge role in the Blades' success last season under Chris Wilder, and it was an area of the pitch that they were always going to have to address in the transfer window.

Finding someone who could do what the 26-year-old did was always going to be tough, but, according to The Star, United identified Braga's Djibril Soumare as a potential candidate.

The 22-year-old has been on the Portuguese side's books since the summer of 2022 but is yet to transition into a first-team role for them. Instead, he has spent time away from the club on loan with fellow top division side CD Nacional, for whom he made 23 Liga Portugal appearances in the previous campaign.

Sheffield United nearly there with Vini Souza replacement option

Selles had previously hinted at problems that the club had encountered in getting work visas for targets like Soumare in the post-Brexit era, but the Blades have now overcome these paperwork issues and are now closing in on the midfielder, as per The Star.

Links with the Senegal under-23 international first emerged from Portugal just under two weeks ago. He is set to move to Bramall Lane on loan as part of a deal that will become permanent if the new Spanish boss can lead the club to promotion next season. A medical will take place upon his "imminent" arrival in the UK, as per the Sheffield outlet.

Article image:Sheffield United reach breakthrough in push to sign Vini Souza replacement

Wolfsburg's purchase of the Brazilian number six left a gap in Selles' squad that has been worsened by some injury issues. Oliver Arblaster, Tom Davies and Jamie Shackleton are all also set to miss the start of the new season due to injury, increasing the need for the Blades to bring in another option in this position.

The Blades are also considering options at the back, according to The Star, with three current fitness and illness issues plaguing Tyler Bindon, Jack Robinson and Anel Ahmedhodzic. Beyond this, though, incomings may need to be funded by further exits, with Gus Hamer being a prime candidate to leave this summer.

Sheffield United are continuing with their niche recruitment

We're seeing more outside-of-the-box moves being made by EFL clubs this summer. Prices for players in this country have been inflated a bit, and there is value to be found elsewhere in the world.

Even though the Blades are one of the bigger sides with high ambitions in the Championship, that shouldn't stop them from trying to seek out smart bits of business.

Soumare doesn't have the depth of experience behind him like Souza did when he arrived in Yorkshire in 2023. That doesn't mean that he can't have a similar impact to the Brazilian under Selles.

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