Sheffield United complete a January transfer window for the ages
Sheffield United have wrapped up a sensational January transfer window by bringing in Berge, Retsos, and Zivkovic in the final 48 hours.
If I had told you last week that Sheffield United would end the January transfer window by signing Genk’s Sander Berge, Leverkusen’s Panagiotis Retsos, and former Ajax striker Richairo Zivkovic, you would have laughed in my face.
Yet, Chris Wilder has continued Sheffield’s dominant underdog brand by completing all 3 signings, with Berge joining for a club-record fee of £22 million, and the latter 2 joining on loan from their respective clubs.
Berge was chased by some of the biggest clubs in England during previous transfer windows, including Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United. Yet, Sheffield United’s project seems to be so promising that the Norwegian midfielder, who possesses a massive 6’5 frame, decided to come aboard. Sheffield does currently sit 8th in the Premier League and are gunning for European qualification – something nobody could have predicted at the start of the season.
As for Panagiotis Retsos, the Greek international has hardly featured for Bayer Leverkusen this season, but still has big potential that Chris Wilder can help him find in his 3-at-the-back system. Retsos needs more playing time to avoid becoming a flop, and therefore a loan move is perfect for him at this stage of his career.
https://twitter.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1222978390971617280
Richairo Zivkovic, on the other hand, can be considered somewhat of a flop already. The Dutch striker was highly rated coming out of the revered Groningen academy but was never able to make an impact at senior level for Ajax, Willem II, Utrecht, or even for Oostende in the Belgian Pro League.
A move to China’s 2nd division has revived his career a little bit, but that level is still far away from the Premier League and he will need to play out of his skin if he wants to prove that he belongs in a top league. We have a full piece on Zivkovic’s move to Sheffield United here.
Next. Sander Berge a top, top signing for Sheffield. dark
It’s clear with these signings that Sheffield United have ambitions far greater than to escape relegation or be competitive. They want to qualify for Europe and sign big players, which they are proving is capable even in their first season after promotion.