“SHOCKING Sky Pundit MELTDOWN as Sheffield United Launch AUDACIOUS Leicester City Transfer Heist!”

The start of Sheffield United’s season has been one to forget, with the club enduring a miserable run of form that has left them rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

Six matches into the campaign, the Blades remain without a single point, and their woes were compounded last month when they crashed out of the EFL Cup at the very first hurdle.

Much of this stems from a turbulent summer in S2. Ruben Selles, backed heavily by American owners COH Sports, was tasked with assembling a side capable of mounting another promotion challenge after last season’s painful play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

With significant investment, Selles reshaped the squad extensively, particularly in defence.

New arrivals included Ben Godfrey, Ben Mee, Japhet Tanganga and Mark McGuinness, adding to earlier signings Tyler Bindon and goalkeeper Nils Zatterstrom.

Despite the influx of experience, results failed to improve. Performances remained flat, culminating in a humiliating 5-0 defeat away at Ipswich Town on September 13th.

That result proved the final straw, with Selles dismissed shortly afterwards. In his place, club legend Chris Wilder returned for a third spell in charge.

However, his homecoming also started poorly, as Sheffield United slumped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic.

Wilder has already warned that his squad may soon become “overstocked” once injured players return, but transfer speculation has continued to swirl nonetheless.

Among the rumours, talk of a reunion with Leicester City defender Harry Souttar has gained particular traction.

Lee Hendrie weighs in on Souttar speculation

Former midfielder and pundit Lee Hendrie has reacted to whispers of a potential deal. Souttar, once rated as one of the Championship’s best centre-backs during his Stoke City days, earned a £15 million move to Leicester City in January 2023 after impressing with Australia at the World Cup. Yet his time at the King Power has been underwhelming.

He has made only 16 appearances for the Foxes, spending much of last season on loan at Bramall Lane.

During his 21 appearances for the Blades, Souttar proved invaluable, helping tighten their defence and conceding just 10 goals while he was in the side.

Unfortunately, his loan spell was cut short by a serious Achilles injury, and Sheffield United’s promotion hopes faded as they fell at the final hurdle at Wembley.

Hendrie believes that a return—whether permanent or temporary—would make sense, even if January feels some way off.

“I’ve always been a fan of Harry Souttar,” he told Football League World. “They’re talking about taking him back in January.

It’s a long way off still, and things will change at that football club, I have no doubt. They need to deal with what they’ve got in the building at the moment.

But if Souttar is available, he’d be a good player to bring in. He’s got experience, and he’s not getting game time at Leicester. In January, I think there’ll be lots of changes.”

Why Souttar could make sense for Wilder

Although Wilder’s immediate priority is to halt the club’s alarming slide, the idea of Souttar’s return remains enticing.

Wilder deployed a 4-2-3-1 system in his first match back, pairing Japhet Tanganga with new skipper Mark McGuinness at centre-half. While both are capable defenders, Souttar’s presence would add another dimension.

A natural right-sided centre-back, his partnership with McGuinness could provide the defensive solidity United so badly lack, particularly if results continue to worsen in the build-up to the winter window.

For Souttar himself, the situation at Leicester is hardly straightforward. Though included in Marti Cifuentes’ registered 25-man squad, he has yet to feature in a single matchday lineup this season as he continues to regain full fitness.

His long-term future at the King Power Stadium remains uncertain, leaving the door open for a potential exit.

From Sheffield United’s perspective, their bloated squad may complicate matters, but the quality Souttar brings is undeniable.

Having already thrived at Bramall Lane once before, and with Wilder desperate to stabilise results, the prospect of a reunion is intriguing.

Ultimately, the immediate task for Wilder is survival and stability. With no points on the board and confidence low, January feels like a distant prospect.

Yet as Hendrie suggested, Souttar’s name will linger in the background. Should the opportunity arise, his return could offer Sheffield United the defensive backbone they desperately need to revive their faltering season.