Why Sheffield United shocked Feyenoord chief and Anel Ahmedhodzic amid £7m deal

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Sheffield United sold Anel Ahmedhodzic to Feyenoord this summer, and both the Eredivisie club and the player have revealed their shock at the deal that was made for him.

The Blades have had a rough start to their Championship season, losing six in a row under new manager Ruben Selles, who ultimately lost his job as a result last weekend.

Chris Wilder is back at the helm at Sheffield United after being sacked just three months ago, but he is without a number of players he had last term.

One of those is Ahmedhodzic, who joined the club in 2022 – and now, Feyenoord’s sporting director and the player have admitted they were surprised by the fee that was agreed for him.

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Anel Ahmedhodzic admits he was ‘quite cheap’ as Feyenoord chief labels fee as ‘remarkable’

Speaking to the media in the Netherlands, Feyenoord sporting director Dennis te Kloese said he thought the deal was ‘remarkable’.

Ahmedhodzic agreed, saying: “I think so too… quite cheap, if I say so myself.”

The centre-back had entered the final year of his contract at Bramall Lane, which would have brought his price tag down.

He signed for the Dutch side for £7million on a four-year contract. United had rejected an initial bid before accepting the increased version. The agreed deal also includes several bonus clauses and a sell-on clause.

Anel Ahmedhodzic admits he had a ‘bad year’ in the Premier League

Ahmedhodzic made 31 Premier League appearances with the Blades, and he was asked whether he was surprised more top flight English sides weren’t interested in him.

He said: “Yes and no. I had a bad year in the Premier League, then [United] were relegated.

“That wasn’t a good year, but you have to take it on the chin and move on.”

He has already made seven appearances for his new club, grabbing one assist in the Champions League qualifiers against Fenerbahce.