Ali Youssef in action for BK Hacken (Getty Images)
As reported by Swedish football site FootballTransfers (h/t Yorkshire Live), teenage Swedish winger Ali Youssef, who plays for BK Hacken, has claimed that Premier League outfit Sheffield United are interested in signing him this summer.
“I let my agent handle that part. But there are some clubs that are interested. There are teams from Holland and England, including Sheffield United,” he said.
The 19-year-old Youssef is regarded as one of the hottest young prospects in Swedish football currently. The winger came through the youth ranks at BK Hacken and made his first-team debut in July last year and has gone on to feature 10 times, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, have been the biggest surprise of the 2019/20 Premier League season. Having earned promotion from the Championship, the Blades have enjoyed a brilliant campaign upon their arrival in the English top-flight.
At the time of the season suspension, Chris Wilder’s side were sitting in the seventh place in the league table, just five points off Chelsea in fourth place and level on points with 6th-placed Wolves.
Sheffield United have been one of the best defensive outfits in the Premier League this term. They have let in just 25 goals so far, with only leaders Liverpool conceding fewer (21). However, their attack hasn’t been firing on all cylinders over the course of the campaign.
The Blades have scored just 30 goals over the course of the season. Only four teams in the league have scored fewer than that. So it becomes imperative for Wilder & co. to strengthen their attacking contingent in the summer. Even more so, with them standing a genuine chance of playing European football in the 2020/21 campaign.
At the same time, the club should also keep an eye on the future and look to build a team for the coming years. And in that regard, adding Ali Youssef from BK Hacken would be a smart move.
While the Swede is still a raw talent and has made just 10 first-team appearances, he is held in high regard in his homeland. The teenager has scored and assisted one goal each already at the senior level in a handful of appearances.
Furthermore, he would add some much-needed youth to the Blades attacking unit that has three players on the wrong side of the thirties. His signing would also add to the bench strength at the Bramall Lane, which would come in handy next season if they are indeed involved in Europe.
Youssef has shown good potential so far in his burgeoning career. With Sheffield United on the verge of qualifying for European football next season, bulking up the squad would serve them well. And to that end, Youssef would be a handy addition. Furthermore, with experience, the teenager can grow into a key player for the Blades in the coming years.
