Sheffield United eyeing up "bargain" transfer for Germany-based defender | OneFootball

The Blades have been linked with a move for Hertha Berlin defender Jonjoe Kenny.

Sheffield United are weighing up a potential bargain transfer for Hertha Berlin defender Jonjoe Kenny.

That's according to a report from Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, as Blades boss Chris Wilder looks to bolster his team's Premier League promotion credentials this month.

The 27-year-old right-back is out of contract with the German second division side at the end of the season, and as such, the former Everton man could be available at a cut-price fee.

Kenny, a former England youth international, has been plying his trade in Germany since departing Goodison Park in the summer of 2022, and has become an important figure at the Olympiastadion.

Sheffield United eyeing up move for Hertha Berlin defender Jonjoe Kenny

As per Nixon's report, Sheffield United are keen on a move for Kenny this month, which would see him make his return to English football in a potential bargain deal for the Blades.

Nixon states that United could sign Kenny for a relatively cheap fee, before handing him a long-term contract in order to make the move to Bramall Lane an even more attractive prospect to the full-back.

The Liverpudlian began his career with Everton when he was signed as a youngster in 2006, before graduating from academy football with the Toffees in 2014.

Loan moves to Wigan Athletic and Oxford United would precede his Everton debut in the Premier League against Norwich City during the 2015/16 season, before working his way up the pecking order to become the backup option to Seamus Coleman at right-back.

Numerous seasons as a rotational option at Goodison would follow, before loan moves to Schalke and Celtic would give him the taste of more regular football elsewhere. He would eventually depart Everton on a permanent basis in 2022, joining Hertha on a free transfer.

Kenny could be highly shrewd piece of business for Sheffield United

Kenny has been enjoying a highly fruitful spell in the German capital since his move, developing into a key figure in Hertha's team.

Having already bagged a goal and five assists from 20 appearances in all competitions so far this term, Kenny has been one of the most dangerous attacking full-backs in the German second division for some time.

His three league goals and five assists last season ranked him in the top 87.5 and 84.7 percentiles of 2. Bundesliga right-backs, whilst his 87.3 percent passing accuracy and 27 chances created rank him in the top 92.2 percentiles among his positional peers so far this term - per FotMob.

It's not just the attacking side of his game where he's shining either, as his 24 tackles won rank him in the top 92.2 percentile of 2. Bundesliga right-backs, whilst his 27 interceptions are the most of any German second tier right-back so far this season (after 17 games) - as per FotMob.

Those numbers would suggest that Sheffield United would be getting a very well-balanced defender, who carries a major threat going forward, whilst also being a stout defender too.

With Alfie Gilchrist only on loan until the end of the season and the pairing of Jamie Shackleton and Femi Seriki perhaps not seen as long-term solutions for Wilder, Kenny could be the answer for Sheffield United in the right-back spot.