Midfield reinforcement appears to be a clear priority for Sheffield United this January, with the Blades reportedly joining Birmingham City and Coventry City in the race to sign Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka. According to Yorkshire Post, United have made an enquiry about the Nigeria international, with Birmingham and Coventry also understood to have asked about […]
Midfield reinforcement appears to be a clear priority for Sheffield United this January, with the Blades reportedly joining Birmingham City and Coventry City in the race to sign Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka.
According to Yorkshire Post, United have made an enquiry about the Nigeria international, with Birmingham and Coventry also understood to have asked about his availability. There has additionally been reported interest from La Liga side Valencia, underlining the level of competition for his signature.
It has now been confirmed that Onyeka could be allowed to leave Brentford this window. The 28-year-old joined the Bees from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in 2021 and has since made 87 appearances for the club. However, opportunities have been limited over the past 18 months.
Onyeka spent last season on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga and has not made a single Premier League start this campaign under interim boss Keith Andrews, featuring just nine times in all competitions. Brentford currently sit seventh in the Premier League, but the midfielder watched on from the bench during their recent 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The Bees are reportedly open to either a loan deal containing a buy option potentially triggered if promotion is secured by a Championship club or a permanent sale, making Onyeka an attractive and realistic target.
Sheffield United appear to be among Onyeka’s admirers, and securing a player of his pedigree would arguably represent a major coup for a Championship side. The Nigerian recently impressed at the African Cup of Nations, helping his country secure third place following a penalty shootout victory over Egypt.
United are not alone in their pursuit. Birmingham City and Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard, are both keen, while the Blades are also locked in a separate midfield tussle with Coventry over Sunderland’s Dan Neil, highlighting how competitive the market has become.
Sheffield United have been in strong form as they look to salvage a season that began poorly under Ruben Selles. Chris Wilder, a boyhood Blades supporter, returned to Bramall Lane in September for his third spell in charge and has consistently highlighted how important this transfer window could be.
United currently sit 11th in the Championship, nine points off the play-off places with 20 games remaining, and Wilder has made no secret of his desire to strengthen particularly in midfield.
Last week, he said:
“We’d like to bring a couple of players into the group, as I’ve said all along and been consistent with, to improve us for the second part of the season.”
However, the 58-year-old has been careful not to reveal names or specifics, adding:
“I can’t commit to names and speculation. We could sit here for the next 10–15 minutes and just go through the ‘dance’, but that’s how it is.
But, as I’ve always said, until they’ve got a Sheffield United shirt on and a scarf around their neck… honestly, we’ve lost so many players and we go through situations where people catch onto stuff. We have to work so hard right the way through it.”
While Wilder has publicly stated he is happy with his midfield options, there is little doubt that the arrival of Onyeka would add Premier League experience, physicality and tactical variety to United’s engine room as they chase a late push for the top six.
With multiple clubs circling and Brentford open to a deal, Onyeka’s future looks increasingly likely to lie away from west London and Sheffield United are firmly in the conversation.
