Sheffield United midfielder Vini Souza is set for a €15m move to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, according to reporter Venê Casagrande.

Sheffield United are set for a summer of transition after falling short of promotion, with the most significant change seeing Ruben Selles take over from Chris Wilder as manager. The decision to sack Wilder has not gone down well with the SUFC supporters.

The club had likely prepared separate recruitment strategies depending on whether they secured Premier League promotion or remained in the Championship. Following their play-off disappointment, it’s now the latter plan that must be put into motion.

The Blades are expected to suffer some losses this summer after they missed out on promotion. One man who looks set to depart is Brazilian midfielder Vini Souza, who is reportedly heading to German club Wolfsburg.

Brazilian reporter Venê Casagrande has said that a fee of €15m (around £13m) has been agreed with SUFC. He is set for a medical with the Bundesliga side early next week.

Souza joined the club back in August 2023 and has racked up 76 appearances for the Blades. He has been a key player for SUFC this past year, averaging a 7.31 match rating across 35 Championship games, according to FOTMob.

A blow, but no disaster

Souza was excellent for Sheffield United last season, so losing him is a big blow for the club. However, they are in a good place in central midfield even with his departure.

They are receiving a decent fee for the Brazilian and will be taking a huge chunk of the club’s wages, which leaves them in a good spot to reinvest. In addition to the fact that Ollie Arblaster will be returning to fitness ahead of next season to replace Souza.

Sydie Peck also had a real breakout year in central midfield so they are not short of quality. Tom Davies and even Andre Brooks are also more than capable of doing a good job in the middle.

Who else could depart?

Souza likely will not be the only big name out the door at Bramall Lane. The most likely being Gus Hamer, who has plenty of interest in him.

Reports from Holland seem to be ramping up about him potentially returning to his homeland this summer. Michael Cooper could also have clubs circling around him this summer.

He has had a phenomenal season with SUFC. Any deal for him would represent a massive profit on the £2m they bought him for last summer.

Stoke City away kit flies off the shelves as Mark Stein leads launch party

Zig zag stripes, bucket hats and Mark Stein as Stoke City party like it’s 1992

The new Stoke City away kit has proven hugely popular as hundreds of supporters queued up to get their hands on one straightaway.

A two-tone zig zag purple change top, inspired by the title-winning kit worn in 1992/93 and featuring the same club badge that adorned the shirt that year, was unveiled on Friday afternoon and went on sale yesterday.

The badge, which incorporates the Stoke-on-Trent city crest, has been restored to commemorate 100 years since Stoke Football Club became Stoke City Football Club.

Mark Stein, the hero of the 1992/93 champions, was back at the bet365 Stadium to pose for photographs and sign autographs while the queue stretched down the road from the club shop. There had even been a queue to get onto the club’s online store a day previously.

Supporters wearing a new away shirt, made by Macron, also had free entry to a Spirit of 92 event in the Boothen Quarter – and a free pint once inside. Local DJs played hits from the early 90s while a retail outlet inside the fan zone seemed to be doing brisk business on two-tone purple bucket hats. The shop is open again today from 10am until 4pm.

The success may prove food for thought as the club continues consultation about changing the club badge, although research had suggested that the design used through the 1980s was the most popular with fans.

Now all Stoke supporters need is for Mark Robins and Jon Walters to find a 2025 version of Stein to score the kind of goals that will make this strip just as popular in another 33 years’ time. What do you think? Join the debate in the comments section.

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