Sheffield United have reportedly entered the race to sign Metz forward Georges Mikautadze, with the Premier League newcomers submitting a bid in the region of £15m for the player.
The 22-year-old graduated from the Metz academy in December 2019 and has picked up a reputation of being a reliable goalscorer, especially following his 2022-23 campaign.
A record of 23 goals in 37 Ligue 2 appearances represented his highest number of strikes in a single term to date, with Mikautadze winning the Golden Boot in France's second tier quite comfortably.
The attacker also enjoyed team success as well as his individual accolade, with Les Grenats finishing second behind Le Havre, meaning that they will compete at the top level of French football after a one-year absence.
However, according to Le10Sport, Mikautadze may not be turning out in Ligue 1 next term amid interest from recently-promoted Sheffield United in England.
It is understood that the Blades have submitted an €18m (£15.6m) bid for the Georgian striker, although Paul Heckingbottom's men are not alone in their interest for the player.
The report adds that the 22-year-old has keen admirers around the top European leagues, with Ligue 1 outfit Lyon and Serie A club Lazio also looking to recruit Mikautadze in this window.
Maurizio Sarri's men have reportedly sent an offer to Metz for the 16-cap international, although it is believed that the Italians' bid is lower than Sheffield United's.
Lyon are yet to make a formal approach or offer for Mikautadze, however Laurent Blanc's side are monitoring the attacker's situation as they look to climb back into the European places following a seventh-placed finish last season.
Despite the Blades submitting a reasonable first offer, it is understood that Metz are looking for close to €20m (£17.3m) for their leading marksman, suggesting that getting the forward to Bramall Lane could stretch United's resources.
With speculation around the future of Iliman Ndiaye continuing to swirl around Yorkshire, United have already bolstered their attacking ranks by signing Benie Traore from Hacken.
The 20-year-old netted 12 goals in 14 Allsvenskan games before sealing a permanent switch to the Premier League newcomers for a fee of around £4m.
Sheffield United have also recruited a defensive midfielder from Scandinavia, with Brondby enforcer Anis Ben Slimane agreeing to a three-year contract at Bramall Lane earlier this month.
Marseille-linked Ndiaye featured in United's 1-0 friendly loss to Championship outfit Rotherham United on Tuesday night - the Senegal international looked in high spirits and certainly not weighed down by his ongoing transfer situation.
The former Boreham Wood man's contract runs until next summer and the Sheffield United hierarchy are desperate to keep him for their first campaign back in the Premier League, after the attacker provided 24 goal contributions in the second tier last term.
Carter White
