Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts to Vini Souza, Sheffield United news - "biggest surprise" claim made | OneFootball

Don Goodman is quite surprised at the fee and destination of Sheffield United's key midfielder

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has highlighted two key aspects of Vini Souza's imminent departure from Sheffield United that he is particularly "surprised" at.

The 26-year-old Brazilian is set to depart Bramall Lane soon after a £13 million fee was agreed with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, with the Sheffield Star reporting that a medical would take place at some point this week.

Souza, despite struggling in the Premier League in his first season following his £10 million move to the Blades from Lommel SK in Belgium, was one of the many Sheffield United players who benefited from the drop down to the Championship, excelling in a defensive midfield role.

Because of this, the former West Brom and Wolves forward, Goodman, believes that not only should Premier League sides have taken more of an interest in Souza, but Sheffield United themselves could have held out to make a better profit on one of their key players from last season.

Don Goodman gives verdict on Vini Souza, Sheffield United sale

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, current Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman said, "The biggest surprise for me, should Vini Souza depart Sheffield United this summer, is that a Premier League club hasn't taken a chance on him, and I say that with the greatest respect to Wolfsburg."

Not many people who played for Sheffield United during their 16-point 2023/24 Premier League campaign can say they covered themselves in much glory, especially those who played in defensive roles, with the Blades conceding a record 104 goals across the entire season.

However, Goodman feels that Souza was one of the many Blades players who managed to prove that he could hack it in the Premier League if given the chance due to his performances last term in the Championship.

"He has been excellent," Goodman continued. "Last season, it was up to the players who had almost let themselves down in the Premier League to wipe the slate down and go again, and he certainly was one of those who did that.

"When he wasn't in the team, they missed him [and when he was] he was outstanding."

Ultimately, Souza is set to depart for a top division club, but for a fee that only sees Sheffield United make £3 million in profit on the £10 million they spent to bring him to Bramall Lane in the first place.

On the reported transfer fee, Goodman said, "I am surprised that £13 million is enough to secure his departure from Sheffield United."

£13 million could prove to be a steal for Vini Souza

If Wolfsburg are set to secure Souza's services for just £13 million, as reported, then the German side could be in for a steal.

There weren't many more commanding defensive players in the Championship last season than the six-foot-two Brazilian, with Souza ranking in the top 10% of the league's defensive midfielders in tackles won and in both duels and aerial duels.

Wolfsburg ranked in the top six for team goals in the Bundesliga last term, but found themselves in the bottom half of the division when it came to having the best defence, and they kept just six clean sheets all season.

Clearly, 'Die Wolfe' is on the search for players who can come in and limit chances from the opposition, and for £13 million, Souza could prove to be an incredible buy if he can carry his momentum from last term into 2025/26.

Souza won't be the midfield signing from the Championship to the Bundesliga that people will be talking about this summer, but as is the case with the way the 26-year-old plays, he could go under the radar as one of the better signings of the transfer window.