Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has said Anis Slimane’s move to Norwich City is now ‘imminent’.
Sheffield United saw the midfielder pull out of their squad for their Carabao Cup clash away at Barnsley on Tuesday night. They ended up losing 1-0 to the League One side.
Slimane, 23, is under contract at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2026. However, it appears he is heading out the exit door now before the end of the transfer window for a new challenge at Carrow Road.
In this latest update regarding the player’s situation, Wilder has said, as per a report by The Star: “He was named in the team, we did the work yesterday and named the team today. And at half four, there was a situation where he wasn’t involved. That will come out in the wash which is obviously disapponting. I believe there’s a deal with Norwich that’s imminent, he didn’t think he was in the right frame of mind to play and so he didn’t. So that wasn’t the best of starts to our afternoon and night.”
Sheffield United signed Slimane last year following their promotion to the Premier League.
He was brought in by the Blades to add more competition and depth to their midfield department and went on to make 15 appearances in all competitions last season as they slipped out of the top flight along with Burnley and Luton Town.
The Tunisia international, who has 29 caps under his belt, has featured on four occasions in this campaign under Wilder.
He started his senior career at AB in Denmark before linking up with Brondby in 2020.
Slimane spent three years in Copenhagen and played 121 games altogether, chipping in with nine goals, before landing a switch to England.
Selling the player to Norwich City would free up space and funds in Sheffield United’s squad. It could leave them short of options in the middle of the park though.
What now for Norwich City target?
Wilder’s comments seem to suggest the player is edging towards the exit door.
The Blades have until Friday to bring in other reinforcements to bolster their ranks.
They are back in action this weekend against Watford at home as they look to build on their 1-1 draw away at Norwich City last time out.
