Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has hinted that a permanent move for Leicester City outcast Harry Souttar is on the cards.
Souttar joined the Championship club on loan until the end of the season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Steve Cooper.
Since joining the Yorkshire club Souttar has been a regular feature in the heart of defence, and even captained the club in the Carabao Cup win against Wrexham.
He also featured in their win away at Hull City last week as he looks to help United secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Chris Wilder drops Harry Souttar transfer hint
The centre-back’s performances this season have seen him find his way back into the Australian national team. When discussing the decision to let goalkeeper Ivo Grbic join Çaykur Rizespor on loan, Wilder’s comments hinted that Souttar could stay at Brammall Lane beyond the end of this season.
He said, via the Sheffield Star: “I think every loan is always a view to [a permanent transfer].
“I think Souttar coming in here is a loan for him to play well here and if we like what we see … and if we don’t like it then someone else potentially will like it.
“With the older boys that’s more the case than the likes of [Alfie] Gilchrist or [Jesurun] Rak-Sakyi, who have come and play competitive Championship football and will learn from the experience.”
Harry Souttar says he ‘feels like a football player again’ after Leicester nightmare
It’s been a rough couple of years for Souttar, who has struggled to make his mark at the King Power Stadium under three separate managers.
Joining in January 2023, Souttar scored an own goal on his debut for Leicester in a 3-2 win away at Aston Villa before losing his place in the side and the Foxes suffering relegation to the Championship.
Enzo Maresca seemingly preferred other options, with Souttar only featuring four times across the title-winning campaign.
The writing on the wall seemed evident when Cooper himself admitted that the 25-year-old wasn’t in his plans.
Reflecting on a turbulent couple of years in the East Midlands, Souttar admitted he’s glad to have a new lease of life.
“It’s just really great to be playing, to feel like a player again, and to get treated like a proper football player is really nice,” he said, while on international duty last month.
“It’s a great club, they’re good people, and even though it’s kind of a new playing group, it’s one that’s going really well, and hopefully we’re going from strength to strength.”