Sheffield United eyeing up top-flight defender as Anel Ahmedhodzic replacement | OneFootball

The Blades have seemingly identified a talented young defender as their potential Ahmedhodzic successor.

Sheffield United are weighing up a move for Malmö FF defender Nils Zätterström following the departure of Anel Ahmedhodzic.

The Blades are entering a new era in 2025/26.

Chris Wilder is out as United boss, with Ruben Selles now in charge at Bramall Lane, whilst some key contributors such as Ahmedhodzic, Kieffer Moore and Rhian Brewster have all made exits.

Regardless of the winds of change blowing around the red half of the Steel City, the remit surrounding the club's target on the pitch this season remains unchanged from what it was last term: win promotion to the Premier League.

Sheffield United eyeing Malmo FF defender Nils Zätterström as Anel Ahmedhodzic replacement

Sheffield United said goodbye to star defender Anel Ahmedhodzic on Tuesday, with the big Bosnian centre-back signing for Dutch giants Feyenoord.

It's understood that Blades have recouped around £15.6m from the sale of the 26-year-old, who made the move to Bramall Lane in the summer of 2022 from Swedish outfit Malmö FF.

As such, the search has begun for his replacement, and interestingly, it appears that United are returning to the Malmö well in an attempt to source his successor.

That's because a report from Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath reporting via X on Tuesday has revealed that Blades are looking into a deal for central defender Nils Zätterström.

McGrath claims that a fee between the two clubs is yet to be agreed, but United appear keen on the 20-year-old Sweden international.

Zätterström has been with Malmö since he was eight years old, and penned a five-year contract with the club in March 2024, with him being contracted there until December 2028.

Zätterström could be a superb long-term Anel Ahmedhodzic replacement

For a player of just 20-years-old, Zätterström has already built up some serious pedigree on his CV.

He's already made seven appearances in the Champions League for Malmö, and is on the bench for tonight's Champions League qualification game against FC Copenhagen.

Zätterström possesses excellent ball-playing ability like Ahmedhodzic does, and standing well over six-feet tall, the Swede cuts an imposing figure at the back similar to the Bosnian.

He's clearly very highly thought of in Sweden given that he's already made over 40 senior appearances for Malmö, and is already a full Sweden international, and could well develop into a top centre-back in the coming years.

Therefore, this looks like it could be a very shrewd and wise gamble to make if Sheffield United can secure a deal for him, as should he reach his evidently high potential at Bramall Lane, Zätterström could not only fill Ahmedhodzic's boots sufficiently, but also bankroll the club in future too.