Sheffield United‘s reported interest in signing Wouter Burger has been scuppered with a European side set to sign the Dutch international.
The Blades were linked to Stoke City‘s versatile midfielder at the start of the month, with reports from EFL Analysis and Graeme Bailey suggesting that Ruben Selles’ side were looking at Burger as a replacement for Vini Souza after his sale to Wolfsburg. It was reported that The Potters would only sanction an exit for the 24-year-old should the club double their money on the player after buying him from FC Basel.
Deal Agreed, Medical Scheduled
However, the Bramall Lane side have no chance of signing Burger after John Percy revealed on social media that Hoffenheim are set to sign him with a €4-5 million (£3.46 million-£4.33 million) fee agreed. The former Feyenoord man is scheduled to fly out to Germany today to complete a medical and sign all relevant paperwork.
Sheffield United are still waiting to make their first midfield signing of the summer despite losing Souza, with former Reading player Tyler Bindon their most recent confirmed signing. However, they will be buoyed heading into next season with the return of Ollie Arblaster from injury, partnering last season’s breakout star in Sydie Peck.
As for Stoke, this will be the second departure this week in the middle of the pitch with Sol Sidibe also leaving for Europe and PSV Eindhoven, a reported destination for Blades star Gus Hamer. Mark Robins’ rebuild is yet to see a new midfielder but there have been plenty of promising signings, including deals for Sorba Thomas from Huddersfield Town and Maksym Talovierov from Plymouth Argyle.
Writers’ View
Sheffield United may feel slightly dampened by not being able to sign Wouter Burger but from a lack of conversation around the deal over recent weeks then The Blades may not have been actively pursuing a deal. Of course, midfield is now a priority for Ruben Selles after the sale of Vini Souza as a midfield combination of Arblaster, Peck and the dependable Tom Davies is not enough depth to compete for promotion in the Championship. And whilst he may have played out wide for most of the season, Gus Hamer is another midfield option on his way out of the club according to recent reports from Sacha Tavolieri, their chase for a new signing may intensify in the coming days.
