Sheffield United eye late transfer swoop for Swansea City star | OneFootball

The 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer and could be a perfect Harry Souttar replacement

Sheffield United are said to be considering a swoop for Swansea City defender Harry Darling.

That’s according to the latest report from the Sheffield Star, which claims the Blades are exploring a move for the 25-year-old, who is due to be out of contract at the Welsh side in the summer.

Bristol City are also said to be admirers of the lofty defender, who is currently serving a suspension after being shown a red card in the Swans’ 2-1 defeat to United last week.

Chris Wilder will be looking to add defensive options to his side after the season-ending injury suffered by Harry Souttar last month, with the Leicester City loanee facing a year on the sidelines after rupturing an Achilles against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Sheffield United plot Harry Darling swoop

The Star's revelation on Tuesday morning will be warmly welcomed by the red half of the Steel City, with a deal for Darling being considered before the transfer deadline on February 3.

The centre-back has earned rave reviews since making the move to Swansea from MK Dons back in the summer of 2022, with his assuredness in and out of possession catching the eye.

Darling had started each and every Championship match for Luke Williams’ side before seeing red last Tuesday, but with his current deal nearing its conclusion, City could well be looking to cash in doing the current transfer window, or risk him leaving on a free transfer come July.

It was Darren Witcoop who broke news of Bristol City’s interest in Darling earlier in the transfer window, while also stating that League One big-spenders Birmingham City were also keen.

No bids have been reported as yet for the defender, but with his contract status as it is, it is hard to see a world where he remains at Swansea past the transfer deadline next week.

Sheffield United need Harry Souttar replacement

Souttar had been a major part of the Blades’ defensive unit before his injury around the festive period, and will have left Wilder considering his options in the January transfer window.

Although Jack Robinson and Anel Ahmedhodzic have been operating valiantly in the centre of the backline of late, the Blades could do with another commanding presence as part of the squad for the remainder of the campaign, with Jamal Baptiste also offering cover if required.

After Friday night's 3-0 defeat at home to Hull City, United have now conceded eight goals in their previous six league outings, as well as suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the FA Cup, having only conceded eight goals between mid-October and Boxing Day before Souttar was sidelined.

A player of Darling’s stature and ability could be the perfect addition for the Steel City outfit to help ease those defensive issues, as United aim for an immediate return to the top flight in the second-half of the campaign.