Sheffield United’s 1-0 victory over Derby County on Saturday put them further ahead of their opponents for automatic promotion. In order to stay ahead of league leaders Leeds United and give himself a three-point advantage over third-place Burnley, Ben Brereton Diaz, who returned from January, scored the game’s lone goal on 49 minutes after latching onto a spectacular cross from fellow January addition Tom Cannon.
Chris Wilder will have been happy that the two big-name acquisitions this month worked together to win Saturday’s match, but Bramall Lane executives are still working hard to add additional defensive reinforcements. However, the Star has compiled some of the most recent news from throughout the division, and they are not the only Championship team seeking to add players before Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline.
Defender bid
United have reacted to the rejection of their bid for QPR’s Jimmy Dunne by submitting an offer for a second defender, Wilder has confirmed. Irish defender Dunne was left out of his side’s squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall as speculation over his future intensifies.
According to The Star, United has a list of choices in case they are unable to sign their top targets, and they are interested in Millwall’s Japhet Tanganga, one of Dunne’s opponents from the weekend. Speaking following the victory at Pride Park on Saturday, Wilder acknowledged that an offer had been made, but he did not specify where it was.
The Blades manager stated, “We have placed bids for two players.” Two center-halves. We have also asked about another two, but I won’t name them. We are aware of how urgently we need to bring in a center-half, but there are alternatives, and perhaps one will enter the building before the deadline. and will join an organisation that will only become stronger every week.
Sensational Leeds links
Leeds have been linked with a potentially sensational move for Krasnodar attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan. Russian journalist Ivan Karpov has reported via Telegram of interest in the 24-year-old, who Daniel Farke coached during his short spell at Russian Premier League outfit Krasnodar back in 2022.
Despite spending his whole career at Krasnodar, Spertsyan has long been predicted to advance to the top division of European football, having previously played for teams like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Ajax. Even though the Armenian’s value has somewhat decreased, Transfermarkt still values him at €20 million (£17 million) after he has contributed three assists and six goals in 18 Russian Premier League games.
Leeds have been very quiet so far this month as one of only three Championship sides yet to make a signing, but things could kick into gear late on. Farke has regularly admitted wanting more depth at No.10 and after missing out on Emi Buendia, could now look to another of his former players.
Burnley agreement
Burnley have also set their sights on a January coup and look set to sign Sporting CP winger Marcus Edwards. Fabrizio Romano claims a deal has already been agreed for the 26-year-old to swap Lisbon for Lancashire, having been convinced of the move by his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate, Clarets boss Scott Parker.
Edwards is set to join Burnley on a six-month initial loan which will cost €1m (£840,000), while a €12m (£10m) obligation to buy will be triggered if ‘specific conditions’ are met – that could potentially be linked to promotion. Sporting CP will also receive 10 per cent of any future sale.
With only one start and 111 minutes in six league appearances this season, Edwards has battled for consistent action. However, the deft winger has already caught the attention of Europe’s best teams, and his arrival at the Championship will be viewed as a huge coup.
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