"Looks like there's no way back" - Sheffield United urged to offload Bramall Lane outcast in January | OneFootball

FLW's Blades fan pundit has been discussing what the club should do with midfield outcast Ismaila Coulibaly amid reported January interest...

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United midfielder Ismaila Coulibaly is reportedly garnering interest from Norwegian side Fredrikstad ahead of the January window and FLW's Blades fan pundit believes the club should move on from the Bramall Lane outcast.

Signed by Sheffield United for a reported fee of £2m in September 2020 from Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08, a return to Scandinavia could be on the cards in the new year for Coulibaly.

Norwegian top division side Fredrikstad are understood to be interested in signing the Malian international in January, as per Norwegian outlet Fredriksstad Blad, with the midfielder said to be open to the move.

His time in the Steel City hasn't gone to plan for Coulibaly, and with his £10,000 per week contract set to expire in the summer per Capology, we asked our Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy (aka Blades Ramble) if January is the right time to let him go, and whether he believes the club can expect to receive a fee for him.

Sheffield United told to cut losses on Ismaila Coulibaly in January window

Speaking in response to those questions, Jimmy said: "It's a shame it's not worked out for Izzy (Coulibaly). We've only really seen in little small flashes what he can potentially do.

"It looks a long way from where he was linked with AC Milan two or three years ago, and he's just not really been able to force his way into the reckoning at Sheffield United.

"So, he goes with our blessing. It certainly looks like there's no way back for him really. If there's interest abroad, I'm pretty sure all parties will be interested in exploring it further.

"I think the only reason we extended him by a further year in the summer was because there was so much uncertainty over who was actually going to be here. We've managed to strengthen quite well, Sydie Peck has also come through the youth ranks and overtaken him.

"The rise of Ollie Arblaster before his injury as well, so I think it was a 'just in case'. It turns out he's surplus to requirements at the Lane, so if we can get a fee for him, absolutely brilliant.

"But just to get him off the wage bill I think would be acceptable to all parties at this stage."

Coulibaly will surely be desperate to find regular football away from Bramall Lane in the new year

Having made just two appearances so far for Sheffield United in the 2024/25 season, both of which came in the Carabao Cup, Coulibaly doesn't appear to feature in Blades boss Chris Wilder's first-team plans.

The young midfielder has enjoyed some fruitful spells out on loan in recent years though, spending two years with Belgian side Beerschot between 2020-2022, and most recently Swedish side AIK on a short-term loan between February-July 2024.

Coulibaly has been spending his time in Sheffield United's development side in recent times, as he looks to maintain his fitness and show what he can do ahead of the January window.

He's evidently a player with plenty of talent and potential, and with him only turning 24 on Christmas Day, the central midfielder is now entering that stage of his career where playing regular senior football is vitally important.

Therefore, with the strength in depth Wilder has to choose from at Bramall Lane this term in the middle of the park, Coulibaly is way down the pecking order, and as such, a winter move would surely be welcomed by all parties.