Sheffield United's Championship rivals 'in talks' to re-sign goalkeeper as free agent 'targeted' by duo
All the very latest Championship transfer rumours as the summer window approaches the end of its fourth week.
Sheffield United will step up their pre-season preparations when they face Chesterfield at the SMH Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
United got their pre-season campaign up and running last weekend with a 3-1 win over FC Halifax Town at The Shay. This week has been dominated by the news that the club’s ownership group, COH Sports Bidco Limited, has been served with a winding up petition by United World, meaning all the attention has been on off-field matters.
On the pitch, United strengthened their attacking options on Wednesday, signing winger Romelle Donovan on loan from Brentford, meaning he could make his first outing for the club against the Spireites.
United have not made as much progress as they probably would have hoped by now in this summer’s window. In addition to landing Donovan, Jaïro Riedewald, who returned to the club last week, is their only other new recruit.
Elsewhere in the Championship, clubs are continuing to try and bolster their squads ahead of the new campaign getting underway in just over a month’s time. With that in mind, here are some of the latest transfer rumours concerning the Blades’ Championship rivals...
Blues ‘targeting’ Beadle return
Birmingham City are ‘in talks’ with Brighton & Hove Albion to re-sign goalkeeper James Beadle, according to a report by Birmingham Live. The England Under-21 international spent last season on loan at St Andrew’s and a return to the club is said to be ‘on the cards’.
Beadle, who has also been linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers over the last few days, made 38 appearances across all competitions for the Blues last season, keeping eight clean sheets.
Brighton are planning to let Beadle head out on loan for the sixth time in his career following previous stints at Crewe Alexandra, Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently Birmingham.
It is reported Blues boss Chris Davies wants to strengthen his goalkeeping department as ‘a matter of urgency’. Birmingham only currently have one senior goalkeeper on their books in the form of Ryan Allsop.
Duo ‘eye’ Targett swoop
According to a report by Football League World, Norwich City and West Ham United are ‘in the mix’ to try and sign former Newcastle United defender Matt Targett. The left-back is currently a free agent after recently being released by the Magpies.
Targett, 30, spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, racking up 46 appearances to help them reach the Championship play-off final. He also chipped in with four goals.
Norwich and West Ham have been credited with interest in the experienced full-back, with both clubs said to be ‘eyeing moves’ for him. He was at Newcastle for four years.
West Ham could find themselves on the hunt for a left-back this summer amid the level of uncertainty that surrounds El Hadji Malick Diouf’s future at the London Stadium. Meanwhile, strengthening the left-back department is a leading priority for Norwich, who have already been busy in this summer’s transfer window.