Report: Sheffield United now making move to sign 'incredible' player despite his agreement with Southampton

Sheffield United look to have won the race to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan, although the Blades are not done yet.

Chris Wilder is still aiming to beef up his squad ahead of a gruelling 46-game Championship campaign, with a target for Southampton now on his radar.

So, which Southampton target are Sheffield United now making a move to sign? Let’s take a look…

Sheffield United make Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move

A story from The Sun now states that Sheffield United are making a move to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on loan from Besiktas.

The England international is believed to be looking to join a Premier League side this summer, but would consider joining a leading Championship outfit who have a chance at promotion.

It comes after a story from Turkish news outlet Sporx claimed that Oxlade-Chamberlain has already agreed to return to Southampton, who he left to join Arsenal back in 2011.

That specific report even stated that the 30-year-old wanted Besiktas to pay out his contract and allow him to leave on a free transfer this summer, so Sheffield United or Southampton could actually sign the attacking midfielder on a permanent basis if that happens.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who Jurgen Klopp once called an “incredible” footballer, made 30 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring four goals while also providing one assist.

Risky move for Sheffield United or Southampton

Whoever ends up winning the race to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain will undoubtedly be taking a gamble.

Not only does the man from Portsmouth earn £65,000-a-week at Besiktas, but he has also endured plenty of injury problems over the years.

Oxlade-Chamberlain missed 19 games last season alone due to thigh issues, while he was also absent for 14 games with hamstring problems in his final campaign at Liverpool.

Therefore, Wilder or Russell Martin run the risk of paying the Southampton academy graduate a hefty salary for him to spend most of the 2024/25 campaign on the treatment table, which would be a nightmare for financial reasons.

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Nevertheless, be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Sheffield United have now decided to make a move for Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.