Sheffield United have identified Motherwell's 25-year-old English defender Emmanuel Longelo as a potential target and have taken notice of his performances. The club is reportedly considering him as a possible solution for their problem left-back position. Longelo may be interested in returning to English football, but there are doubts about whether Sheffield United will have the funds to complete a transfer.
The club's financial constraints could prevent a transfer, and manager Chris Wilder could face spending restrictions in January as no budget has been set for the window. Despite receiving a guaranteed £21 million from the summer sales of Andre Brooks, Gustavo Hamer, and Callum O'Hare, United were unable to spend money on replacements. United chief executive Stephen Bettis confirmed last month that due to those sales, the club is under no pressure to sell players in January. Bettis also warned supporters not to expect large sums of money to be spent. This may impact Wilder's chances of acquiring Longelo. Longelo, who joined Motherwell in July 2025, has a contract with the club until May 2027 and his current Transfermarkt market value is €1.5M. Celtic and Rangers have also been linked with the player.
