Who is Anel Ahmedhodzic?

United’s “seven-figure” bid for a full international was revealed over the weekend, as more details emerged about the offer, via [The Sun]. The Blades have tabled a £3M for Anel Ahmedhodzic. 

So, who is Anel Ahmedhodzic?

Ahmedhodzic is a 23 year-old Swedish born full Bosnian international. He was on loan at French side Bordeaux last season, from parent club Malmo.

He is a very tall defender standing at 6’4, mostly playing at centre-back but has filled the role of right-back in the past.

Ahmedhodzic played in a back three for Bordeaux last season, starting 15 games and alternating between left-centre back and right-centre back.

At Malmo he played 25 times in the league last season, as well as featuring 5 times in their Champions League campaign.

What’s interesting about this is United were linked with Anel Ahmedhodzic back in January of last season, but nothing came of it and the Bosnian signed on loan for Bordeaux.

Subsequently, he suffered a relegation with Bordeaux, and in recent news, Bordeaux have been relegated by the French FA to the third tier of French football. The club is now working with the French football association to try and resolve this.

The tricky part of this bid is that Bordeaux have a “first-to-buy” option. However, If Bordeaux can’t resolve their problem and thus remain in the third tier, then surely that would rule out Bordeaux signing the Bosnian international.

Currently, United only have three senior centre-backs at the club: John Egan, Chris Basham and Jack Robinson. Jack O’Connell is still recovering from his knee injury, so the rest of the centre-back depth is currently coming from two youngsters: Kyron Gordon and Kacper Łopata.

A big plus of signing Ahmedhodzic is that he is comfortable at playing either side of the back 3, as he shown last season. As a tall and mobile defender, he should be capable of playing down the middle of the back three too.

Having seen footage of him, he looks like he can do it all at the back, he’s quick, strong and good with the ball at his feet. He can also play defensive-midfield.

Personally I hope the Blades can get Anel Ahmedhodzic over the line, as this would open the door for Gordon and Łopata to go out on loan to learn their trade.