Blades Eye Two As Window Draws to Closure

Blades Eye Two As Window Draws to Closure

Sheffield United are lining up moves for several players towards the late stages of this summer's transfer window, with moves for Lewis Koumas and Kamil Piatkowski being reported here yesterday afternoon, and are now looking into deals for Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga and Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing.

The move for Tanganga is the more advanced of the two, with The Blades planning on making a move in discussions over a fee upwards of £5m - though this sits below Millwall's £7m asking price for the Englishman, according to Luca Bendoni.

Bendoni also states that the club are amongst the rumoured parties interested in Danish midfielder Philip Billing, who will be allowed to leave the Vitality Stadium in this window's closing moments. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder, who stands at 6'6, won last season's Serie A whilst on loan at Napoli.

However, no formal offer has yet been made for Billing, with interest also coming in from Ipswich Town and home-nation side Copenhagen.

Selles Eyes Tanganga in Back Line Boost

Japhet Tanganga has ousted himself as a fan favourite at The Den, following an initial loan from Tottenham Hotspur that turned permanent in the summer of 2024. The 26-year-old centre-back won the club's Player of the Year award at the end of the 24/25 campaign.

Known for his aggressive style of defending and fearlessness, Tanganga is comfortable playing both in central defence or deployed as a right-back. He made 40 appearances for Millwall last season as The Lions finished in 8th - just two points away from the playoffs. He has also appeared in both of the club's Championship appearances this season.

🎙️ Ruben Selles on Japhet Tanganga

"I think with names like Japhet or some other players who are playing in the Championship I would prefer not to make a comment because that's a sensible thing, especially before the weekend. It's not fair on him or his club to speak about it."…

— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) August 21, 2025

Now, with Sheffield United looking to re-bolster a defence that lost star figure Anel Ahmedhodzic to Dutch giants Feyenoord earlier this summer, The Blades are looking to add Tanganga to their back line after strong performances in Bermondsey, having agreed a deal with Serie A side Atalanta for the arrival of Ben Godfrey in recent days as well.

Bendoni reports that United are looking to progress in their talks with Millwall, with The Blades discussing a fee in the region of £5m for his services. Millwall have tagged an asking price in the range of £7m to £8m to prise him away from the club.

Billing of Interest to Blades - Though No Offer Has Been Made

A Serie A champion with Napoli last season, making 10 league appearances in the process, Philip Billing's time with Bournemouth looks to be coming to an end as the window's end starts to draw close.

The 6'6 Dane was an unused substitute in The Cherries' opening day 4-2 loss against title favourites Liverpool, and the club are looking to clear him from the club for around €10m in the late stages of summer. Sheffield United would be looking into the possibility of a season-long loan, instead.

Philip Billing on loan or as a permanent would be lovely

Great pedigree at this level. Titan of a man at 6'6

Yes please#itfc pic.twitter.com/mzrLL3uD71

— Alex Osborn (@AlexOsborn25) August 20, 2025

Antonio Conte did have the option to secure Billing to his midfield regiment at the end of his loan, for a fee tuning to around £9m, but the club opted against exercising this deal.

Sheffield United and Ipswich Town are two Championship sides who have staked an interest in Billing, who has made 183 appearances for Bournemouth in a six-year stay on the South Coast. However, neither club have sent a formal offer to Bournemouth for the players services.

Should The Blades advance with a deal, Billing would provide depth to a midfield that lost the services of Vinicius Souza to Bundesliga outfit VFL Wolfsburg earlier this summer, as well as one that is sweating over the future of star player Gus Hamer, who is subject to interest from Leeds United and clubs in his native Eredivisie.