Sheffield United are reportedly interested in signing Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall during this month's transfer window.
The 27-year-old has struggled for game time this season for the Tricky Trees, playing seven and starting just five matches in the Premier League for the East Midlands club.
Worrall was frozen out of the first-team picture by former head coach Steve Cooper, who forced the centre-back to train away from the squad alongside Scott McKenna.
Since the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground, the former Rangers loanee has made just the single start, playing the full 90 minutes of the FA Cup clash with Blackpool on January 7.
According to TEAMtalk, Sheffield United are eyeing a move for Worrall during the January transfer window as the Blades look to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
© Reuters
With Forest recently being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, the Tricky Trees are looking to offload players in order to balance the books.
Considering that Worrall has been on the fringes of the first-team thinking this campaign under both Cooper and Nuno, it is understood that the East Midlanders are willing to part company with the player.
It was reported that Worrall was attracting interest from the Championship in the closing stages of 2023, with second-tier pacesetters Leicester City and Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough linked to the 27-year-old.
It is currently unclear whether Forest would be open to selling the centre-back to a relegation rival, but nevertheless Sheffield United need to improve defensively to escape the bottom three.
Wilder's Blades have conceded 51 goals in 21 Premier League matches so far in 2023-24, nine more than any other side in the division at this stage.
© Reuters
The Yorkshire club have limited options in defence due to the long-term injuries of Chris Basham and John Egan, while one of United's rearguard members is said to be catching the eye of a top European outfit.
Serie A champions Napoli have allegedly submitted a bid for centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, with the 24-year-old impressing at Bramall Lane despite his side sitting bottom of the Premier League standings.
The Blades are preparing for the eventuality of the Bosnian leaving this month, and it is believed that Bournemouth's Chris Mepham is of interest to Wilder.
After an enthralling 2-2 draw with West Ham United on Sunday which saw Ben Brereton Diaz bag his first goal as a Bladesman, Sheffield United host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend.
