Ismaila Coulibaly could be on his way out of Sheffield United as a European side have targeted the Malian international.
The 23-year-old arrived at Bramall Lane back in 2020 from Sarpsborg but failed to properly crack his way into the Blades squad and had been loaned out twice since joining. He has made just nine appearances for the club and was not named in this season’s Championship squad list, meaning he has only played twice in the EFL Cup against Barnsley and Wrexham this season.
Norwegian Side Target Coulibaly
His lack of game time, combined with his contract now in its final year means that teams have been looking at Coulibaly, and according to Scandinavian news outlet Fotbollskanalen, Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK are interested in signing him.
According to their reports, the nine-time champions have monitored the Malian for some time and with the January window approaching in England and the Norwegian window already open, Aristokratene are looking to make a move.
Coulibaly is no stranger to the region, with Sarpsborg also being a top-flight Norwegian club and having loan experience at Swedish giants AIK towards the latter stages of last season. He recorded two goals and one assist across 13 appearances, helping them to a third-place finish in the Allsvenskan.
Writer’s View
It feels like a no-brainer for Sheffield United to allow this move to happen. Ismaila Coulibaly never really was given a chance to deliver for the club and unless they want to use him in January for their FA Cup third-round tie against Cardiff City, he will be a burden on the wage budget that could be spent elsewhere. It does also look like there will be no transfer fee involved should a move happen, but with the length of his contract now minuscule, it was unlikely that The Blades would have recouped any losses.
