Sheffield United Plot Bid for £14m Crystal Palace Defender

Blades Plan Palace Raid

Sheffield United are planning a loan move for Crystal palace defender Chadi Riad before the end of the transfer window, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The 22-year-old has only recently made his comeback from an ACL injury that had seen him absent from any matchday squads since the 18th of January 2025. He marked his return well just a few days ago, coming from the bench to assist a consolation goal in Crystal Palace's 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Eagles are ready to send the Moroccan defender out on loan until the end of the season to give him game time after his return from injury, and Sheffield United are believed as being the club leading the queue.

Chadi Riad makes his comeback today, playing 14 minutes and delivering an assist 😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/37yKTs608O

— 532off (@532off) January 25, 2026

Wilder Eyes Ambitious Move for Talented Crystal Palace Defender

After Sheffield United's heart-breaking defeat at Wembley in the playoff final to Sunderland at the end of last season, the onus was on The Blades to mount a more successful promotion push back to the Premier League this time around, echoing a Leeds United side who won the title after a playoff final defeat of their own.

Suffice to say, things haven't quite worked out that way at Bramall Lane.

New signings Louie Barry and Ben Godfrey failed to make an impact through a mix of poor form and fitness and had their loans cancelled, and a horrific run of form under Ruben Selles at the start of the term instead had the club flirting with relegation.

There weren’t many positives today, but Chadi Riad’s cameo was very promising. Please stay fit, big man! 🙏 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/6x6zW8puoM

— Team Called Palace (@TCPalacePod) January 25, 2026

The third return of Chris Wilder helped steady the ship in Sheffield, with the club now six points clear of the drop zone and 11 points away from a spot in the playoffs once again. They need a mighty push of form to achieve a level that seemed unattainable at the start of the campaign, and fixing what has been a leaky defence would go a long way in making that possible.

As such, the club have identified Crystal Palace favourite Chadi Riad as a potential signing in the final week of the winter window, with the Eagles centre-back recently returning from an ACL injury that had seen him shelved for a whole calendar year.

Crystal Palace are willing to let the 22-year-old Moroccan depart the club on temporary terms in order for him to get minutes in the tank after a long lay-off.