Manager hints at imminent Sheffield United transfer but £7m man won’t replace Gus Hamer

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Another day, another step towards Ruben Selles’ long-awaited central defensive signing as Sheffield United close in on Malmo colossus Nils Zatterstrom.

Despite signing Tyler Bindon on loan from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window, it is no secret that an exasperated Ruben Selles wants further Bramall Lane reinforcements as soon as possible.

Selles was forced to start left-back Rhys Norrington-Davies in the centre during that 4-1 opening day trouncing by Bristol City. Veteran Jack Robinson then came into the starting XI for Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Swansea City, just days after Selles refused to rule out a move to Wrexham for their 31-year-old skipper.

A ‘gutted’ fanbase have already lost Anel Ahmedhodzic. Feyenoord paid £7 million for the popular man-mountain at the beginning of August.

But, in a strange twist of fate, Sheffield United are turning to another Malmo-born, six-foot-something central defender in Ahmedhodzic’s place. Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Sheffield United will sign Nils Zatterstrom in a deal worth an alleged £2.8 million.

Now, after Zatterstrom trained apart from Malmo’s first-team squad on Tuesday, questions came tumbling in the direction of head coach Henrik Rydstrom to speak out during his press conference on Wednesday.

Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom hints at Nils Zatterstrom’s Sheffield United move

Malmo are set to face Sigma Olomouc in their UEFA Europa League qualifier tomorrow.

A game Zatterstrom looks destined to miss, with Rydstrom confirming that the 20-year-old has left Sweden in order to hold talks with an interested suitor. He did not mention Sheffield United by name, but all the signs are pointing towards Bramall Lane.

“They are visiting clubs,” Rydstrom said of Zatterstrom and exit-linked goalkeeper Ricardo Friedrich, speaking to Sydsvenskan. “I can’t say more than that.”

A natural left-footer, Zatterstrom will be welcomed with open arms by Ruben Selles.

Capped once by Sweden and an Allsvenskan title winner back in 2024, the giant defender’s arrival will finally give Selles the natural left-sided centre-half he wants.

EFL Analysis were informed, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that the two-footed former Everton ace Ben Godfrey was another option, alongside AFC Bournemouth’s ex-Sunderland loanee Chris Mepham and Seol Young-Woo of Red Star Belgrade.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard played down speculation surrounding Bobby Thomas, meanwhile, after the Blades reportedly lodged an £8 million bid for the Sky Blues skipper last week.

Oliver Sorensen joins Parma as Sheffield United hope to keep Gustavo Hamer

One player who will not be making the journey from Scandinavia to Sheffield, however, is Oliver Sorensen.

The Star report that talismanic playmaker Gus Hamer remains open to leaving Sheffield United for another spell in Dutch football, with Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven big fans of the one-time PEC Zwolle ace.

Midtjylland midfielder Oliver Sorensen appeared a potentially tailor-made Gus Hamer replacement, possessing similar energy levels and goalscoring guile. Sorensen scored ten goals and set up five more in Danish football last season.

The Denmark Under-21 international is now officially out of reach, however. Sorensen joins Serie A outfit Parma in a £7 million deal, using his unveiling in Italy to run through the Hamer-like attributes he will bring to his new employers.

“Everyone’s goal is to provide assists and score goals, and that’s mine too,” Sorensen said. “My game is made up of a lot of running and runs into the box, where anything can happen.

“Last year, I did a lot of that and scored a lot of goals.”

On a far more positive note, and despite interest from both PSV and Leeds, Bailey believes that Hamer is likely to stay at Sheffield United for another season as things stand.

“I don’t think that they ever wanted Gus Hamer to go,” Bailey told EFL Analysis shortly after his wondergoal in the Carabao Cup defeat to Birmingham City. “And, as it’s looking now, there’s certainly a good chance that he stays.

“I think there’s a reasonable chance he stays.”