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According to a report by The Sun on Sunday, Sheffield United are keen to sign Sunderland captain George Honeyman, but they should forget about him and get his Black Cats teammate Jack Baldwin instead in order to sort out one of their big issues.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun report that Wilder is pleading with his board to spend during the January transfer window to ensure the Yorkshire outfit don't slip away in the promotion race for the second season running, and Honeyman is a target.

The versatile skipper as established himself as a key player for the Wearside outfit over the course of the last 18 months or so, and he was handed the armband by Jack Ross when he took the job in the summer.

His form for second-placed Sunderland hasn't gone unnoticed by the Blades boss, who obviously feels the attack-minded 24-year-old could do a job for him given he is capable of playing through the centre and on both wings as well.

Why should they sign Baldwin instead?

Sheffield United slipped out of the automatic promotion places on Saturday following their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and while they failed to get on the score-sheet at the City Ground that certainly hasn't been their biggest issue this season.

That instead has been their defensive record – no fellow club in the top six has conceded as many as their total of 19 in their 16 Championship fixtures this term.

It is a problem that could cost them if the goals don't continue to flow at the other end of the pitch, and signing the 6ft 1in Baldwin would certainly help them out.

The 25-year-old has proven to be a brilliant addition for Sunderland following his move from Peterborough United during the summer, and the clean sheet Jack Ross' men kept against Plymouth Argyle at the weekend means the Black Cats have now gone four successive League One matches without conceding, and have the best defensive record in the division.