Sheffield United are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper following Wes Foderingham’s departure earlier this summer and have identified a Championship shot-stopper, according to the latest reports.
Foderingham moved to Bramall Lane back in 2020 from Scottish giants Rangers and, within twelve months, established himself as the club’s number ‘1’ shot-stopper following Aaron Ramsdale’s £24 million move to Arsenal in 2021. The Englishman was an integral part of the team that earned promotion back to the Premier League when Paul Heckingbottom was in charge during the 2022/23 campaign as he kept 18 clean sheets in 40 appearances.
Unfortunately, Foderingham worked the graveyard shift once the side returned to England’s top-flight. In 30 league matches, the 33-year-old conceded 79 times as Sheffield United were relegated back to the Championship, having accumulated the lowest points total in the competition’s history since Derby County in 2007/08.
Foderingham has since left the club as a free agent, joining the goalkeeping ranks at West Ham United which has left manager Chris Wilder in need of a replacement despite having January signing Ivo Grbic in the squad.
The Sheffield Star have revealed that the South Yorkshire outfit are looking to sign Plymouth Argyle keeper Michael Cooper this summer, who has a market value of £1 million, as per FootballTransfers, and has entered into the final 12 months of his deal at Home Park.
Journalist Alan Nixon published a report on his exclusive Patreon on Sunday morning which stated that both Coventry City and Premier League side Crystal Palace were also interested in the 24-year-old and that the Pilgrims were open to selling him this summer after he rejected a new contract last month which would have made him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
Writer’s View
Cooper has an incredibly bright future in the game. He is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet which will allow teams to play out from the back with ease which is why clubs such as Sheffield United, Coventry and Crystal Palace have all been keeping tabs on his situation with Plymouth.
But, the Pilgrims won’t let him leave on the cheap. He has a seven-figure market value, meaning it may take a seven-figure sum to acquire his signature. Nevertheless, perhaps Plymouth are fearful of allowing him to leave for free in 12 months’ time, hence why they may be open to negotiating for the goalkeeper.
