Sheffield United set to swoop for Greece Under-21 captain Panagiotis Retsos in loan switch from Bayer Leverkusen for rest of the season
- Panagiotis Retsos is set to join Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the season
- United, who are eighth in the Premier League, are negotiating a £600,000 deal
- Retsos has rarely played for the Bundesliga side because of successive injuries
- The versatile 21-year-old defender joined Leverkusen for £15.75m in August 2017
Sheffield United are in talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender and Greece Under-21 captain Panagiotis Retsos.
The South Africa-born 21-year-old, who has made five senior appearances for Greece, is poised to move to Bramall Lane on loan for the rest of the season.
A versatile centre back, Retsos can also fill in on either side of the defence, reads the game well and is a threat at set pieces.
Bayer Leverkusen saw off competition from across Europe to sign Panagiotis Retsos in 2017
Retsos cost £15.75m and captained Greece Under-21s to a 1-0 victory in Scotland in November
The defender has been beset by injuries but now seems set to move to Sheffield United on loan
He joined Leverkusen from Olympiacos for £15.75m in August 2017 after captaining the his hometown club at the age of 18 and going on to help them qualify for the Champions League.
Having impressed during his first campaign with Leverkusen, the 21-year-old made just one appearance for the club last season as a series of injuries plagued his progress.
Leverkusen are discussing a £600,000 loan fee for the fit-again prospect, who was described as having “special attributes” by Leverkusen Sporting Director Rudi Voller after making his Bundesliga debut.
Retsos was nominated for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award in April 2018 and has played in the Europa League, which the Blades are in contention to reach as their impressive first season back in the Premier League continues.
Speaking after joining Leverkusen, Retsos said: “For me personally and for my development, the most important thing is to play regularly.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the centre or the right at the back or in holding midfield.
“I feel most at home in central defence but I don’t have any problem with playing at left back. The main thing is I can get to play.”