Sheffield United could be set to complete the signing of Stoke City midfielder Badou Ndiaye, Yahoo Sport France journalist Manu Lonjon has claimed.

Manager Chris Wilder has confirmed that he is keen to add a central midfielder to his Blades squad before the close of the transfer window on Thursday, and it looks as though they could be close to getting one in the shape of Ndiaye.

After it was reported by Yahoo Sport France that Ndiaye is close to joining a Premier League side, Lonjon responded to that update by appearing to directly name Sheffield United as the club in question, suggesting the Blades are closing in on yet another signing from the Championship this summer.

Already during the current transfer window, Chris Wilder's side have signed Luke Freeman from QPR, Oli McBurnie from Swansea, Ben Osborn from Nottingham Forest, and Callum Robinson from Preston.

Ndiaye joined Stoke from Turkish side Galatasaray for a fee reported to be worth £18million in January 2018, but after being unable to prevent Stoke's relegation from the Premier League last season, the midfielder spent the 18/19 campaign back on loan with Galatasaray.

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Earlier this year, Ndiaye's agent claimed that the 28-year-old has no intention of returning to Stoke this season, and the midfielder was not part of the matchday squad for the Potters' 2-1 defeat to QPR on the opening day of the Championship season on Saturday.

The Verdict

This looks to be the best move for everybody if it happens.

Ndiaye has made it clear that he doesn't want to be at Stoke, so you imagine they will be only too happy to get him off their wage budget if possible.

The player himself is also going to be happy with his move back to the top flight, and you imagine Sheffield United themselves will be pleased to add to their midfield ranks, particularly with a player with the sort of top-flight pedigree that Ndiaye has.

Considering both Everton and Monaco were linked with Ndiaye recently, this looks to be something of a coup for the Blades as well, which will give them a welcome confidence boost ahead of their return to Premier League action on Saturday.