Sheffield United Reportedly Shopping in Scandinavia as They Look to Repeat Trick From 2022 | OneFootball

Sheffield United have been linked with a move for highly-rated Norwegian defender Henrik Falchener, as the club begins a crucial summer of squad restructuring ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

According to OnTheMinute, both Sheffield United and Middlesbrough are monitoring the 22-year-old centre-back, who has impressed since joining Viking FK from Egersund in January. Despite being new to Norway’s top division, Falchener has made a strong impact, featuring 13 times and scoring three goals in the 2025 season so far.

Standing at 6ft4, Falchener has caught the eye with his aerial dominance and composure, offering both defensive solidity and a threat from set pieces. His performances have not gone unnoticed beyond England, with Benfica also reportedly tracking his progress. The rising star is under contract until 2028 so a club will have to cough up the cash to acquire his services which will likely be no more than £10 million.

Sheffield United Need Multiple Central Defensive Arrivals This Summer

WATFORD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his sides first goal with team mate Jack Robinson during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford FC and Sheffield United FC at Vicarage Road on January 04, 2025 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The Blades need to rebuild their defensive core over the next couple of months. As it stands, the club has just two senior centre-backs: Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson. While Ahmedhodzic has been a solid defender in the Championship since arriving in 2022, his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and there is growing uncertainty about his future. If a suitable offer arrives this window, United could choose to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing next year.

Meanwhile, Robinson, although experienced and the club captain, has often been viewed as the weaker link in the pairing. The 31-year-old did trigger an automatic one-year option in his deal last season after playing over a certain number of games. United do need at least two new centre-backs though, one to be an upgrade on Robinson and another to offer immediate cover and competition for both places. And another may be needed to potentially replace Ahmedhodzic should he depart.

The club had reportedly lined up deals for free agents Jimmy Dunne and Harry Darling earlier in the summer,  both of them being proven Championship defenders, but those moves did not materialise following the departure of Chris Wilder as the Blades’ manager.

It’s always difficult to measure just how good a centre-back is coming from a league such as the Norwegian top-flight due to the lesser quality of forwards. Like all leagues, there are hidden gems, and Falchener may be the next one to be uncovered. After all, new Sheffield United manager Ruben Selles does have history of working with a data-driven recruitment strategy.

Of course, the Blades shopped in the Scandinavian market for a central defender previously in 2022 when they signed Ahmedhodzic from Swedish club Malmo, and he’s turned out to be a solid top-end Championship defender. Could they repeat the trick with Falchener?