The bargain fee Sheffield United could pay after Anis Slimane transfer breakthrough

Sheffield United could exploit Anis Ben Slimane’s contract status to land the midfielder for less than £2m this summer, according to sources in Denmark. The Tunisian World Cup star is expected to become the Blades’ first signing since promotion to the Premier League after negotiations with Brondby accelerated, with United looking to ward off interest from clubs in Turkey and France to land the promising 22-year-old.

As The Star revealed this morning, United could be asked to pay the majority, if not all, of Slimane’s fee to Brondby up-front this summer rather than pay in instalments. But with the midfielder’s contract status drastically reducing Brondby’s negotiating position - he has just entered the final 12 months of his deal in Denmark - he is expected to move on for a cut-price fee, meaning Brondby’s demands should not pose too much of an issue to United.

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Contact with Slimane was established earlier this summer after he was identified as a target by head of recruitment Paul Mitchell, with the player visiting United’s Shirecliffe training complex and being enthused about the prospect of playing Premier League football next season. For large parts of the summer United opted not to follow up their interest with a concrete bid, but the deal has accelerated of late.

A player comfortable in possession, able to pick a pass to front-men quickly and on either foot, and with a trick or two, Slimane is able to operate in a conventional midfield role and also further forward, behind a striker or two further forward - offering boss Paul Heckingbottom tactical flexibility if he opts to return to a shape he often used in the Premier League during his caretaker stint in charge, with two No.10s behind a single forward.

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As a full Tunisian international, Slimane has no issues fulfilling the GBE criteria to work in the UK - although United would have been able to sign him anyway owing to recent Home Office rule changes. Those new guidelines could prove useful if United secure a breakthrough in their pursuit of Hacken forward Benie Traore, who ordinarily would not qualify for a UK work permit.

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