Anis Slimane's move to Norwich City is 'imminent' after he decided to withdraw from Sheffield United's squad for their cup defeat to Barnsley, boss Chris Wilder has confirmed. 

The Canaries have made the Blades midfielder their priority target for the number eight position as they continue their dash for reinforcements before Friday's transfer deadline. 

Slimane, who played against Norwich on Saturday, now looks set to complete an initial loan with an option to buy switch to Carrow Road in the coming days. 

But Wilder was left disappointed by the conduct of the 23-year-old, who was due to start in their Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley on Tuesday night, only to opt out of being involved at Oakwell due to City's increasing level of interest. 

That left the Blades' chief disappointed as he confirmed Slimane is set to complete a Carrow Road switch. 

“He was named in the team, we did the work yesterday and named the team today. And at half four, there was a situation where he wasn’t involved," Wilder told the Sheffield Star. 

"That will come out in the wash which is obviously disappointing. I believe there’s a deal with Norwich that’s imminent, he didn’t think he was in the right frame of mind to play and so he didn’t. So that wasn’t the best of starts to our afternoon and night.”

Johannes Hoff Thorup knows Slimane from him time at Brondby in Denmark, and any Carrow Road move would see the midfielder again link up with Oscar Schwartau, who joined City last week.

City's boss confirmed after their 4-0 cup exit to Crystal Palace that Slimane was a player he was aware of, but refused to be drawn on the speculation after the game. 

"There are lots of players I like and lots of players I look at," City's boss said. "Of course, I know him from my previous time in Denmark.

"I like good players but you know me enough I will not speak about other players. I would rather speak about my players."

City are in the market for a number eight, with Slimane their top target, and a wide player before Friday's deadline.