Sources: Sheffield United in talks to sign Cardiff City star Smithies
Sheffield United are in talks with Cardiff City over a beat-the-deadline move for Alex Smithies, Football Insider understands.
The Blades are in the market for a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes as they look to fill the void left by Aaron Ramsdale’s departure.
A Sheffield United source has told Football Insider that they are negotiating a deal for Smithies as they see him as an ideal replacement for Ramsdale.
The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is currently second choice keeper in Mick McCarthy’s side.
As per The Star on 20 August, Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic claimed he was “working on the basis of four more” new arrivals before the deadline.
Midfielder Connor Hourihane has signed from Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal since that date, as revealed by this site yesterday.
But Jokanovic’s desired three additional signings are yet to materialise with the transfer cut-off just hours away.
The manager has alternated between Wes Fodderingham and Michael Verrips between the sticks since Ramsdale’s transfer to Arsenal.
But neither keeper has impressed and United remain winless in their opening five league matches under Jokanovic.
Smithies meanwhile has featured twice in the League Cup in 2021-22 but is yet to make an appearance in the Championship.
Dillon Phillips became McCarthy’s number one shortly after his appointment as Bluebirds boss in January.
Should the Blades be successful in their pursuit of Smithies, he will be the sixth player to exit Cardiff this summer.
In other news, Paddy Kenny tips Sheffield United to sign creative star as talks open on Premier League deal.