Sheffield United plotting move for ‘fearless’ Liverpool gem as Ruben Selles eyes first signing

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Sheffield United are looking to assemble a squad that can go one better in 2025/26 after losing in the Championship play-off final to Sunderland.

Chris Wilder was shockingly sacked last week after failing to deliver their promotion aim, with the Sheffield United board wanting to move towards data-driven recruitment.

Despite only keeping Hull City up by the skin of their teeth, Ruben Selles was hired as the new Blades boss after being axed by Acun Ilicali at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Selles is already getting to work on his extensive list of targets, as it was reported over the weekend that Sheffield United are eyeing Hull midfielder Steven Alzate alongside Spanish giants Valencia.

The 42-year-old could raid his former club for the Colombian while also dipping into the loan market to sign a talented Premier League youngster.

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Sheffield United are plotting a loan move for Lewis Koumas

According to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United are keen on taking Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas on loan after largely impressing during his time at Stoke City.

The same report also claims that the Yorkshire side are interested in Wrexham-linked Owen Beck as a potential option at left-back.

Welsh international Koumas can operate on either wing, and last season, the 19-year-old produced six goals and three assists in all competitions for the Potters.

Considering he was playing for a team that were almost sucked into the relegation dogfight, it was a decent return and the Liverpool gem could potentially explode at Sheffield United.

Selles got the best out of young forward Joe Gelhardt on loan at Hull last term, becoming the club’s second top scorer in 2024/25 despite only arriving in January.

Now, with the chance to work alongside Koumas at Bramall Lane, there are reasons for supporters to feel excited.

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Craig Bellamy has waxed lyrical over ‘fearless’ Koumas

Koumas faces the near-impossible challenge of breaking through at Liverpool, as only a select few youngsters become Anfield heroes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the biggest modern-day example of an academy graduate shining in the first team, and current Wales boss Craig Bellamy thinks Koumas has all the attributes to become a top player, or at least exceed Welsh legend Aaron Ramsey.

Speaking in August 2024, Bellamy said via The Guardian: “With Lewis, every bit I’ve seen of him, I’ve just loved. Fearless. He’s one of those players who just, every time he has it, you feel like something’s going to happen, something positive happens.

“They’re the players you would love to coach or you’d love to just go and watch. I’m sure he would have looked at Aaron for a number of years as well.

“Now, he gets to see what elite really looks like in a character like Aaron. I’d like to believe that’s going to develop a player like Lewis quicker. He gets to see him. He gets to see his actions. He gets to hear him talk. He gets to hear certain information as well.”

Should Sheffield United snap up the teenage sensation, perhaps he can become a key weapon in their bid for promotion.