Sheffield United should swoop for Wolves transfer after Leeds United, Jayden Bogle blow: View | OneFootball

Ki-Jana Hoever would be a good signing for the Blades after Bogle left for Leeds

Highlights

Sheffield United have been busy so far in this transfer window as they prepare for life back in the Championship after a dismal Premier League campaign.

The Blades endured a torrid time in the top-flight last season, as they broke the record for most goals conceded in a single Premier League campaign and were relegated in 20th place with just 16 points.

They will be hopeful of a fruitful 2024/25 campaign under former promotion-winning boss Chris Wilder though, and the 56-year-old has set his stall out ahead of a huge season, with Chris Basham, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe and Ollie Norwood all allowed to leave the club upon the expiry of their respective contracts, while Oli McBurnie, Ben Osborn, John Egan and Dan Jebbison all turned down new deals to leave on a free transfers.

To make up for his losses, Wilder has been busy in the transfer market too, with Kieffer Moore, Callum O'Hare, Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum arriving from Bournemouth, Coventry City,Leeds United and Norwich City respectively.

Three players have left Bramall Lane for a transfer fee so far this summer - one of those is Jayden Bogle, who has joined promotion rivals Leeds United for £5m on a four-year deal.

His departure leaves Wilder short at right-back, despite Shackleton's arrival, and the Blades should look to bring in Ki-Jana Hoever as a replacement this summer.

Hoever has spent the last 18 months on loan at Stoke City and established himself as a standout second-tier right-back in his time with the Potters, but faces an uncertain future at parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers and could be allowed to leave the West Midlands in the coming weeks.

Hoever has vital Championship experience

Hoever is finally beginning to realise the potential that saw Liverpool bring him to England in 2018 after he had impressed in Ajax's youth teams.

He made four senior appearances for the Reds before joining Wolves in 2021 for a reported fee of £9m, but struggled to nail down a regular first-team spot at Molineux and so joined Stoke on loan in January 2023.

Hoever became a hit in his initial half-season spell at the bet365 Stadium under Alex Neil, registering four goals and one assist in 15 league games as his successful six months prompted the Potters to loan him in again for the full 2023/24 season.

The 22-year-old was a near ever-present under both Neil and Steven Schumacher last campaign as he notched four goals and five assists in 44 appearances in all competitions from full-back, and played a key role in the Potters' eventual Championship survival.

Hoever's defensive abilities were questioned by sections of the Stoke support at times, but his attacking output proved invaluable in a period where the Potters struggled for goals, and that should be the main motivation behind Sheffield United trying to sign him this summer.

Hoever would be a great Bogle replacement

Bramall Lane would be an ideal destination for Hoever for a number of reasons - for one, he would undoubtedly suit Wilder's 3-5-2 formation as he could be deployed as a right wing-back and allowed to flaunt his notable attacking prowess.

His play style is very similar to that of Bogle, which is ideal given Wilder will be searching for a like-for-like replacement for the season ahead.

Hoever is likely to be made available either on loan or for a permanent transfer this summer by Wolves - his contract is not up at the Molineux club until 2027, but Gary O'Neil has already brought in 18-year-old Brazilian right-back Pedro Lima for a reported £12.7m this summer and is presumably set to continue to have Nelson Semedo and Matt Doherty also at his disposal in that position next season.

The Blades' current right-back options are quite sparse as it stands, with new man Shackleton as Wilder's likely first-choice, given his other backup options are relatively untested youngsters Femi Seriki and Sam Curtis.

If Hoever was to sign to replace Bogle, he would undoubtedly be able to come in as United's first-choice right-back, which is exactly what is needed as the new Leeds man featured 36 times in 2023/24 and was the Blades' third-most used player across the campaign.

His potential signature likely hinges on whether United's pursuit of Chelsea youngster Alfie Gilchrist comes to fruition after journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Blades had sent a loan proposal to the Blues amid interest from other second-tier sides.

Gilchrist is a centre-back by trade, but can operate at right-back and his possible arrival would likely end Wilder's chase for a player in that position.

With that said, Hoever's style of play would certainly suit Wilder's setup more than Gilchrist, and so Sheffield United should pursue his signature this summer if they wish to mount a challenge for promotion back to the Premier League in 2024/25.