Sheffield United transfer news: Nils Zatterstrom deal, Bobby Thomas bid, Chris Mepham move urged | OneFootball

We rounded up all the latest Sheffield United transfer news with just under two weeks remaining in the window.

It has been a nightmare start to the season for Sheffield United in the Championship, and they still have plenty of work to do in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

After losing to Sunderland in last season's play-off final, Sheffield United made the bold decision to part company with popular manager Chris Wilder due to disagreements over the new data-driven recruitment model, and he has been replaced by Ruben Selles.

However, it is fair to say it has been a tough start to life at Bramall Lane for Selles, with the Spaniard losing his first three games in charge in league and cup, and pressure is already building on him after the 1-0 defeat at Swansea City on Saturday.

United have brought in five new signings so far this summer in Mihail Polendakov, Tyler Bindon, Djibril Soumare, Ehije Ukaki and Louie Barry, but after losing the likes of Anel Ahmedhodzic, Vini Souza and Kieffer Moore, Selles has revealed he is keen to bring in five further additions before September's transfer deadline.

As the clock ticks down to the end of the transfer window, we rounded up all the latest news involving the Blades.

Sheffield United closing in on Malmo defender Nils Zatterstrom

Having conceded seven goals in their opening three games of the season, strengthening the defence is clearly a priority for Sheffield United in the remaining weeks of the window, particularly after Ahmedhodzic's departure.

The Blades have been strongly linked with Malmo defender Nils Zatterstrom throughout the summer, but as the club had no ESC spots left in their squad, the deal looked to be hanging in the balance.

However, United freed up an ESC space last week by selling winger Jefferson Caceres, who only joined the club in January, to Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, and that appears to have accelerated their pursuit of Zatterstrom.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed on Monday night that the Blades are now closing in on the signing of Zatterstrom, who has scored three goals in 41 appearances for Malmo and won one senior international cap for Sweden, for a fee of €3.3 million (£2.9 million) plus add-ons.

Sheffield United face Brentford and Burnley competition for Bobby Thomas

Zatterstrom is far from the only defender on Sheffield United's radar, and they have been linked with free agent Ben Mee, who is currently without a club after being released by Brentford earlier in the summer.

However, while Mee would represent an affordable option for the Blades, it seems the board are willing to splash the cash on a new defender, and it was claimed last week that the club have made a stunning £8 million bid for Coventry City's Bobby Thomas, although the BBC reported that the offer was instead worth £5 million.

Thomas joined the Sky Blues from Burnley in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £2 million, and he has scored eight goals and provided two assists in 97 appearances for the Midlands outfit so far, while he was also part of the squad that reached the Championship play-offs last season under Frank Lampard.

United may have put a significant offer on the table for Thomas, but it appears the 24-year-old is now attracting Premier League interest, with journalist Pete O'Rourke revealing that his former club Burnley are considering a move to bring him back to Turf Moor, while Brentford are also keen.

Sheffield United set for Callum Doyle disappointment

Another defender who has been linked with Sheffield United this summer is Manchester City's Callum Doyle, but he is one name that may now need to be crossed off the club's list of targets.

Doyle spent last season on loan at Norwich City, where he scored one goal and provided seven assists in 43 appearances, while he has also had temporary spells with Sunderland, Coventry and Leicester City in recent years.

It seems Doyle's performances at Carrow Road caught the eye of the Blades, while Scottish giants Rangers were also said to be keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, but ambitious Championship newcomers Wrexham are now set to win the race for his signature.

FLW exclusively revealed the Red Dragons' interest in Doyle last week, and The Athletic claimed on Tuesday morning that the Welsh side are now set to complete the signing of the defender for a fee of £8 million as their summer spending spree continues.

Don Goodman urges Sheffield United to rival Wrexham for Chris Mepham

Wrexham may be set to beat Sheffield United to Doyle, but speaking exclusively to Football League World, pundit Don Goodman claimed that the Blades should rival the Red Dragons for Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham.

It has been claimed that Mepham, who helped Sunderland to promotion last season during his loan spell at the Stadium of Light, is on Wrexham's radar as manager Phil Parkinson looks to bolster his defence even further, but Goodman believes he would be a strong addition for United.

"I absolutely understand why both Wrexham and Sheffield United would want to sign Chris Mepham," Goodman said.

"I thought he was absolutely sensational for Sunderland last season.

"I could make a case that it was his best ever season in terms of how he played, the levels of his performances week-in and week-out and his consistency.

"In Wrexham and Sheffield United you’ve got two clubs that in the opening two Championship games have conceded five goals, so clearly defensively need strengthening.

"In terms of Sheffield United, the loss of Ahmedhodzic and Vini Souza in front of him, has proved a real big thing so far.

"And in Wrexham’s case it’s simply the step up to the new level that they’ve found difficult in terms of defensively in the opening couple of games.