Sheffield United have been supported to beat promotion contenders and local rivals Leeds United to the signing of Andrew Omobamidele, who is expected to depart Nottingham Forest this month.
The 2024/25 Championship promotion race is playing out as expected, with a heated battle for the top positions set to take place as the competition enters its second half.
Leeds presently lead the league table by a single point over second-place Burnley and the Blades, who both have 52 points.
All three clubs, along with fourth-placed Sunderland, will be aiming to strengthen their respective promotion ambitions during the January transfer window, probably none more so than the Blades following COH Sports Group’s recent acquisition of the club.
Chris Wilder’s team has been linked with a number of names just days into the current window, the most recent of which being Omobamidele.
Sheffield United’s transfer interest in Nottingham Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele
According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, Sheffield United and Leeds are set to compete for Omobamidele’s signature this month.
Forest are reportedly interested in signing the Republic of Ireland international, who cost the club £11 million when he joined from Norwich City in the summer of 2023 but has failed to make a single top-flight game under Nuno Espirito Santo this season.
According to the article, Forest want £10 million for his talents, while Leeds want a permanent contract and the Blades want a loan agreement.
Wilder is looking for new central defense options after losing Leicester City loanee Harry Souttar for the season due to a torn Achilles tendon sustained in the Boxing Day defeat to Burnley.
Sheffield United tipped to beat Leeds United to Nottingham Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele
Even though Leeds are currently in a slightly better league position and are willing to sign him permanently – though it would not be surprising if the Blades purchased the 22-year-old on a loan-to-buy agreement in the event of promotion – our resident Bramall Lane fan pundit Jimmy believes his club has an advantage over the Whites in terms of potentially acquiring Omobamidele.
We asked Jimmy if he thought Omobamidele would be a decent signing for his club this window, and he said, “I quite like him as a player.
“We’ve only seen him play one full season for Norwich, but he seemed like a tremendous talent. Quick, strong, and all the qualities you desire from a centre-back.
“He hasn’t quite made it into the Forest team this season, but I believe it was a long-term investment – or that’s what they had planned at the time – that he was more for the future than the present.
| Andrew Omobamidele’s career club stats, as per FotMob | |||
| Years | Club | Appearances | Goals |
| 2020-2023 | Norwich City | 55 | 2 |
| 2023- | Nottingham Forest | 15 | 1 |
“So I believe we can come in with a loan offer as a team that needs a centre-back – we’ve lost Harry Souttar for the season and need a replacement because our defence isn’t as strong without him – and can Omobamidele fill that role? Potentially, I believe he can.
“So, yeah, I would certainly be interested in United signing him, whether on loan or purchase; I believe the purchase would be contingent on promotion. I believe we have an advantage over Leeds since Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are their true centre-back combination, which we do not have because we are a player down in defense, so I welcome the signing.
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