B B C Sports “He would be welcome at Sheffield United” – Chris Wilder urged to secure Ipswich Town transfer.
This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features unique perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…
Sheffield United faced a calamity at the end of 2024, when the ever-dependent Harry Souttar’s season was cut short due to an Achilles tendon injury. The centre-back is expected to miss all of 2025 and has returned to his original club, Leicester City, for treatment. The Australia international has been a vital component of Chris Wilder’s club this season, and his departure will be a significant defensive loss for the Blades, who are pursuing promotion. Nonetheless, plans are already in place to find a replacement at Sheffield United, with Ipswich Town’s Luke Woolfenden a possible candidate, according to TWTD, an Ipswich-based news outlet.
Verdict made on Sheffield United’s Woolfenden interest
The injury to Souttar has the potential to wreck the Blades’ season, and he will be a significant loss in the coming weeks and months. However, a player with Woolfenden’s talent could be an ideal alternative. The 26-year-old has played eight Premier League games for the Tractor Boys, starting seven of them, but with COH Sports’ new purchase, there is hope that the Yorkshire club may conclude a deal. It is not the first time Wilder has attempted to recruit the 26-year-old, having had a £3 million approach rejected in 2020 while Ipswich were in League One, but the renewed interest will undoubtedly thrill those at Bramall Lane.
Football League World asked their Sheffield United Fan Pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, if he thinks a move for Woolfenden would be a good one and if he could be the ideal replacement for Souttar. He told FLW, “Luke Woolfenden is a long-term target for Sheffield United.” “He was initially highlighted as a potentially long-term Chris Basham replacement when we were still playing with a three at the back, because he seemed to fit beautifully into that system at the time as an overlapping right centre-half.”
Jimmy went on to say, “This isn’t the first time we’ve been linked to Luke. He’s certainly been an excellent servant for Ipswich, and if Ben Godfrey’s arrival pushes him down the pecking order, he’d be welcome at Sheffield United. “He has played in the Premier League this season, and he has not let Ipswich down. So, yes, I’d be up for this one.”
Woolfenden would be the perfect tonic after Souttar injury
Woolfenden’s experience in recent years, since he first appeared on Sheffield United’s radar, will be appealing to Wilder, and he might be an ideal substitute for Souttar. He achieved promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich last season and will continue to play for them in 2024/25. However, if the appropriate bid comes in, it would not be surprising to see the defender return to the Championship, as the Blades’ fresh project under new ownership is exciting.
| Luke Woolfenden’s Ipswich Town stats 2024/25 (FotMob)* | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 8 (7) |
| Minutes played | 646 |
| Goal (Assists) | 0 (0) |
| xG | 0.03 |
| Shots (On target) | 1 (0) |
| Tackles Won | 25% |
| Duels Won | 44.4% |
| Aerial Duels Won | 43.8% |
| Interceptions | 13 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88.2% |
| *Stats correct as of 08/01/2025 | |
There is a good chance the Yorkshire club will finish in the play-offs, and with their already outstanding defensive record, they will be hoping to improve and make the final push for the league title.
Sheffield United require centre-back protection, and Woolfenden will supply it and more if a deal is reached, but this drama is still in its early stages.
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