Ruben Selles faces dilemma as Sheffield United ace emerges as ‘serious option’ for Feyenoord

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Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles could be about to lose one of his top talents ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season.

Sheffield United are heading into the upcoming Championship campaign as one of the favourites for promotion, despite the heartbreak of last season’s play-off final defeat to Sunderland still prevalent.

So far in the transfer window, summer appointment Ruben Selles has been shaping the Blades squad in his image, with some high-profile business done on both sides at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United signed Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa, but have lost a key figure from their squad after Vini Souza joined Wolfsburg.

Now, the Blades could be set to lose another top talent this summer, with Dutch giants Feyenoord circling.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United finally close in on Vini Souza replacement ahead of Bristol City clash

Feyenoord target Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic

Despite Sheffield United’s campaign ending in play-off final defeat, Anel Ahmedhodzic was one of the standout central defenders in the Championship last season.

The Bosnian international scored three goals and registered one assist in 42 outings for the Blades in his third season at Bramall Lane since joining from Malmo in 2022.

Given that Ahmedhodzic featured 31 times in the Premier League during the Blades’ ill-fated 2023/24 season, the defender is set on a return to top flight action, which could come with a move to the Eredivisie.

Dutch transfer account Feyenoord Transfermarkt, followed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, revealed on X: “Anel Ahmedhodžić is considered a serious, concrete option to strengthen #Feyenoord’s defense!

“CAA Base, which also represents the interests of previous target Ko Itakura and Jakub Moder, has put forward the Sheffield United player as a feasible option. Scouting has already given the green light for his arrival.

“Feyenoord is convinced and currently busy negotiating with the Bosnian (26) and his personal terms. In the background, an opening bid is also being prepared. TM-value of €18M (£15.6m), with only one year left on his contract.”

The Dutch giants are also involved in a separate pursuit of Ahmedhodzic’s fellow Championship defender, as Feyenoord are in talks with Rav van den Berg of Middlesbrough.

Feyenoord’s interest in Ahmedhodzic leaves Selles with a dilemma: whether the risk of losing a standout talent outweighs the benefit of Sheffield United cashing in on the centre-back and spending those funds on a replacement.

• READ MORE: Vini Souza’s Sheffield United confession makes failure to get promoted even harder to deal with

Sheffield United should cash in on Anel Ahmedhodzic

Ahmedhodzic has only one year left to run on his current Sheffield United deal, which expires at the end of June next year.

Despite this, the defender retains a value in the region of €18m/£15.6m according to Transfermarkt.

With central defender Tyler Bindon joining Sheffield United on loan from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer, seeing Selles reunite with his former Reading skipper, the Blades remain well stocked at centre-back.

The Blades could replace Ahmedhodzic in the summer transfer window with former Sunderland loanee Chris Mepham, who played against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final.

EFL Analysis understands, as per Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Sheffield United are most likely to sign Mepham this summer.

Following his impressive Championship loan with the Black Cats, the Bournemouth star would be a more than capable replacement if Ahmedhodzic leaves, for a far lower fee than the Blades could bank by selling the Bosnian to Feyenoord.