Sheffield United's search for a new central defender looks set to take another blow with transfer target Anel Ahmedhodzic on the verge of signing for Championship rivals Burnley.
Blades boss Chris Wilder has already endured significant challenges in concluding deals for players this summer with the club at risk of falling into administration.
Attempts to capture Harry Souttar have proved unsuccessful with Leicester City's asking price being deemed to high, whilst other players are believed to have turned down opportunities to join the Bramall Lane side because of their ongoing off-field issues.
Wilder had however still hoped to seal a deal for a couple of his major targets including former defender Ahmedhodzic, although it appears that move has now also hit the rocks.
According to the Sheffield Star, the powerful centre-back is expected to put pen-to-paper on a permanent move to Burnley after the Clarets thrashed out terms for the deal with Feyenoord.
Wilder hinted that a return to the Steel City for the 27-year-old, who only departed for the Dutch side 12 months ago, was imminent earlier in the week with the Blades having only a nominal fee to pay for his services due to still being owed a significant chunk of the £7 million Feyenoord paid for him.
But the deal hasn't been able to get the green light by United's under-fire owners, whose COH Sports Bidco company was wound up in the High Court on Wednesday over an alleged £35 million debt.
Championship side Burnley have subsequently nipped in to seal a deal at the eleventh hour with the player expected to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours.
Sheffield Star football writer Danny Hall wrote: "Ahmedhodzic’s preference had been a return to Bramall Lane should he come back to England, but that rested on United actually making a move for him. That didn’t materialise and their loss will, barring any unforeseen hitches, be Burnley’s gain.
"It is another blow for the Blades, who have now lost out on three good centre-half options this summer on top of their stalled pursuit of Leicester City’s Harry Souttar.
"Boss Chris Wilder had been keen to sign two new defenders before the start of the season.
"Instead Mark McGuinness, whose future at Bramall Lane is uncertain to say the least, and 22-year-old rookie Jamal Baptiste are the only two senior options to partner Japhet Tanganga ahead of this weekend’s trip to Swansea City."
