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Sheffield United are just days away from their first Championship fixture of the 2025/26 campaign.
Following Tommy Watson’s 95th minute winner for Sunderland in the play-off final in May, there has been plenty of change at Bramall Lane. Chris Wilder’s departure shocked many, but Ruben Selles has wasted no time in building a squad capable of promotion.
The Blades lost Vinicius Souza to Wolfsburg earlier this summer and finding an out-and-out replacement has so far been unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, Sheffield United look to have finally landed a long-term transfer target and his arrival could be imminent.
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Sheffield United edge closer to Djibril Soumare deal
The Blades have been chasing Djibril Soumare for a number of weeks, but they finally look to have their man with the South Yorkshire outfit nearing an agreement with Braga.
As per Rob Dorsett, it will be a loan with an obligation to buy the 22-year-old if promotion to the Premier League is won at the end of the season.
There are still some parts of the deal that need work, but it looks as though Soumare could be a Blade by the time the club faces Bristol City on Saturday in the 5:30pm kick-off at Bramall Lane – a repeat of last season’s play-off semi-final.
Soumare will play in the role that has been left by Souza, although he has huge boots to fill ahead of his first year in England.
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The Blades will be full of confidence after a positive summer
After such a difficult end to last season, it’s a fresh start for Sheffield United with a new manager who will be ready to prove himself after he was dismissed by Hull City just a few months ago.
Soumare will add a different quality to the Blades’ midfield, and they will be extremely pleased to have finally captured a player who they have been keeping a keen eye on for a while now.
Sheffield United looked strong against Chesterfield in pre-season, and if they put pressure on Bristol City from the off on Saturday there is a strong chance that they can start the campaign with three points as they look for a place back in the Premier League.