Harry Souttar remains high on Chris Wilder’s wishlist this summer, but Nicolás Valentini has emerged as another potential defensive option for Sheffield United. Here’s everything Blades supporters need to know about the Argentine centre-back.

Another day, another centre-half linked with Sheffield United. But unlike some of the names to have emerged this summer, including Harry Souttar, Nicolás Valentini is perhaps one that a lot of Blades will not know a great deal about.

The 25-year-old Argentine has emerged as a player of interest as Chris Wilder continues his search for defensive reinforcements before the Championship season gets underway. United have made a bid for him, according to journalist Germán García Grova, with Spanish side Alaves also said to be interested.

Harry Souttar remains towards the top of United’s wishlist but, as The Star has reported throughout the summer, the Blades are exploring a number of different options as they attempt to reshape a defence that too often let them down last season.

The understanding is that the interest in Valentini is alongside that of Souttar, with United targeting two centre half additions to support skipper Japhet Tanganga. So who exactly is Valentini?

The left-footed defender came through the academy at Argentine giants Boca Juniors, one of the biggest clubs in South America and one renowned for producing players comfortable with pressure and expectation. After gaining senior experience on loan at Aldosivi, he established himself in Boca’s first team before earning a move to Italy.

Fiorentina signed him only last summer before sending him out on loan to fellow Serie A side Hellas Verona, where he continued his development against some of Europe’s most demanding forwards. He has also represented Argentina at Under-23 level and has spent time around a senior international setup which has reached the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2022.

Standing just over 6ft 2in, Valentini appears to fit much of the profile Wilder has spoken about publicly this summer. United’s boss has repeatedly stressed his desire for centre-halves capable of defending aggressively on the halfway line rather than dropping deep, with mobility just as important as physicality.

Valentini is left-footed, strong in the air and likes defending on the front foot. He is comfortable stepping into midfield with possession but is first and foremost a defender who enjoys the physical side of the game. Having a defender who can use the ball is a bonus but the onus is very much on their defensive abilities first and foremost.

Whether he is the finished article is another question. Moving from Argentina to Serie A is one adjustment; moving from Italy to the Championship would be another entirely. English football demands a relentless physicality that can catch out even experienced defenders and Wilder has made no secret of wanting players capable of coping with that environment from day one.

If United were able to strike a deal, Valentini would not necessarily represent the statement signing supporters perhaps crave after a frustrating summer. He is not Harry Souttar, nor would he arrive with the same sort of pedigree in English football.

But he also looks to tick plenty of the boxes United are searching for: left-footed, aggressive, athletic and entering what should be the prime years of his career. United have been effectively looking for a left-sided defender since Jack O’Connell first got injured; they had a deal lined up to sign Callum Doyle last summer for £5m but Wilder’s departure scuppered the prospect. He instead moved to Wrexham, who now wouldn’t sell him for less than £20m.