Chris Wilder has some job on his hands this summer with Sheffield United, as the Blades boss looks at address key departures all over the pitch at Bramall Lane.
The Steel City outfit have had to say goodbye to a number of key assets across the summer, with the likes of Chris Basham, Wes Foderingham and Oli Norwood departing the club, as well as George Baldock and Max Lowe.
Ben Osborn and John Egan have also left the Yorkshire outfit during the close-season, while two key attacking stars have walked away from the club upon the expiration of their contracts.
With Oli McBurnie and Oli McBurnie both moving on to pastures new this summer, the former Oxford United boss has a job on his hands to find attacking talent ready to fire the Blades into the promotion picture once the season gets underway.
Chris Wilder needs urgent attacking reinforcements after Sheffield United mass summer exodus
Wilder’s task has been made much more difficult by the fact that his side’s protracted takeover is still unfinished, leaving the Blades team down to almost nothing.
The club has been available for sale for more than a year according to current owner Prince Abdullah. Earlier attempts to transfer ownership to a consortium based in California have failed, and this group is the most recent to express interest in acquiring the team.
But the dealings in the background show no sign of coming to a conclusion anytime soon, and that means that the red and white side of Sheffield continue to wait for any sign of incoming transfer activity this summer. Wilder has already gone on record to say that he will have to work on a shoestring budget until the matter is resolved, with the relegated Premier League side likely to scouring the free agent market to see what bargains they can find as it stands. In McBurnie, United will be losing not just a talented goalscorer, but a player who always gave his all for the red and white shirt, with the former Swansea City man flourishing the last time he was in the second.
The forward scored 13 goals in the 22–23 season to help the Blades win promotion to the Premier League. It was also teammate Jebbison’s breakout season, as he played 16 times for the squad he rose through the ranks.
Since leaving Bramall Lane, the 20-year-old has developed a reputation as a top striker in the making. Leeds United, a rival team in Yorkshire, is reportedly showing interest in him, while elite European clubs were reportedly keeping an eye on him in the past.
Since the only recognized strikers currently on United’s roster are Rhian Brewster and Will Osula, Wilder will have his work cut out for him in terms of finding replacements. Once he receives the all-clear to make moves, a busy summer is anticipated.
Sheffield United eying up Harrison Burrows, Ricky-Jade Jones deals
The Blades are reportedly still interested in signing Peterborough Untied players Harrison Burrows and Ricky-Jade Jones this summer, despite their current transfer standoff.
Early this week, Will Unwin of Guardian Sport reported the team’s interest in the two Posh players. Burrows had already undergone a medical examination with the Championship team, according to Peterborough local reports.
Posh captain Burrows [pictured] will provide plenty of depth down the flanks if he moves to Yorkshire this summer, but Jones’ signing may turn out to be the smarter move of the two for the upcoming campaign, given Wilder currently has few options for attacking play.
The academy graduate helped Darren Ferguson’s team score 13 goals last season as they advanced to the League One playoff semifinals. His speed and dynamism were very helpful to his team in the closing third.
The hotshot was reportedly linked to Newcastle United in the past, and the team placed a £2 million price tag on his head.
The Blades won’t be able to pay that sum if things continue as they are, and Wilder will be hoping that the boardroom process moves along quickly in order to avoid losing out on transfer targets to their Championship rivals.
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