Sheffield United are reportedly keeping close tabs on defender Conor Coady as Paul Heckingbottom looks to build a side capable of competing in the Premier League next season. Reports over the weekend surfaced to suggest the Blades are eyeing up a summer move for the Wolves defender.
Coady spent last season on loan at Everton, helping the Toffees retain their top flight status. But Sean Dyche’s side have yet to trigger a £4.5m clause to make his transfer permanent.
Coady slipped down in the pecking order for a starting berth following Dyche’s arrival. What the future holds for Coady remains to be seen.
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The 30-year-old is a familiar face to United fans, having spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Bramall Lane. Signed by Nigel Clough, Coady helped the Blades reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Coady operated as a defensive midfielder under Clough but has since moved into central defence. He boasts a wealth of Premier League experience and has established himself as a regular fixture in the England squad.
It is fair to say Coady enjoyed his time at the South Yorkshire club. Speaking on the Super6 podcast in 2021, he said: “We had a good Liverpool youth side in them days but I left and went on loan to Sheffield United and, honestly, it was incredible.
“I enjoy where I’m playing now, but back in them days at Sheffield United, it was great. It was all out attack and just try and run forward and keep scoring, honestly I loved every minute of it.
“The people were fantastic. Nigel was fantastic for me. He’s a real good man and a fantastic manager who helped me kick on and made sure we had a good season.
“The league was brilliant, the things we were doing. I went there under David Weir and it was tough because we were trying to play a different way and it was a tough, tough league.
“Nigel came in and really changed it, he knew the league and how to play with the players he had. We had so many games and it was brilliant. I loved every minute of it.”