Conor Coady has reportedly emerged as a target for newly promoted Sheffield United.
The defender is to head back to Wolves this summer, after a stint on loan with Everton.
Coady joined the Toffees for the 2022/23 season, after spending Wolves’ first two games of the campaign on the bench.
His exit in itself was perhaps not too much of a surprise. But the fact it was a loan move did shock a lot of people.
It has not been a good season for Coady, who admitted on Saturday it has been the hardest one of his career to date.
Coady was a regular under Frank Lampard, but then lost his place in the starting XI when Sean Dyche came in.
He did play in Everton’s final game on Saturday against Bournemouth, and helped the Toffees survive.
Everton have an option to buy Coady, which is thought to be around £4.5 million. But over the past couple of months there have been suggestions Everton may not trigger it.
But there is now another potential suitor in the mix for Coady.
The Daily Mail report that Sheffield United are keen on the England international. The Blades are said to be watching developments but have a restricted budget.
Coady is thought to want to stay up north. And United, of course, did sign Coady on loan from Liverpool back in 2013.
Given Wolves have now veered away from a back three, it is unlikely that he would come back to Molineux and be a Wanderers player again.
He also wants to play regularly, which may not be something Wolves can offer.
Wolves won’t make much on Conor Coady this summer, as Sheffield United register interest
So Sheffield United are keen on Coady, who will surely not be coming back into the picture at Wolves.
The 30-year-old made it very clear when he left Wolves that he wanted to play regularly. He just won’t be able to do that with Craig Dawson, Nathan Collins, Max Kilman and Toti Gomes battling for minutes.
So his sale this summer is likely – but the club will not make much on him.
If Everton don’t trigger that buy option, then other clubs won’t be offering much more than £4.5 million.
If Everton don’t buy him then a move to Bramall Lane could be good for him.
He would get the regular football he wants, and provide a newly promoted side with some much-needed Premier League experience.