Chris Wilder, the manager of Sheffield United, feels that in order to bolster his team, the club’s takeover predicament must be settled before the January transfer window.
Prince Abdullah, the owner of Sheffield United, was seen two weeks ago in the stands for the team’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday with fellow prospective investor Helmy Eltoukhy. The Telegraph reported earlier this month that Prince Abdullah had agreed to a £100 million deal to sell the team to a US consortium headed by Steve Rosen.
Although it is thought that Rosen and Eltoukhy have achieved a complete agreement with the EFL to purchase the Blades, The Mirror reported last week that Prince Abdullah’s refusal to approve the deal is impeding the takeover.
Reporters close to the club have vehemently refuted the claims, stating Rob Staton of BBC Radio Sheffield that Prince Abdullah is “absolutely not true” for causing the delay in the completion of the takeover.
United has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season despite the continued uncertainty. They are now third in the Championship table, but they would have been first if they hadn’t been docked two points.
Speaking ahead of the game against Oxford United on Tuesday night, Wilder admitted that clarity was needed on the takeover situation at Bramall Lane, and he stressed the importance of a resolution being reached ahead of the January transfer window.
“I think we all deserve credit for not letting that get in the way of how we work,” Wilder told journalist Rob Staton.
“Maybe through experience we’ve done that and got on with the things that we can control, which is players’ performances, recruitment in the summer and results.
“I believe we need clarity, I’d like to think that we’re coming up to that point now, either one way or the other.
“Stephen Bettis (chief executive) has kept me in the loop as much as he can with whatever he knows, I think we’re on the same page as well with that.
“We feel that, especially after losing Arblaster, we need to strengthen for January.
Without being shrewd, we know that there may be some injuries; everyone experiences it, therefore we were never going to be a group that wouldn’t.
“I’d like to think that we will be able to do some business in January because it’s crucial that we have a strong group and bench when we do.
“It’s encouraging that we still have two loan slots open.
“I do believe that the group’s chemistry is crucial.
“In my opinion, we need maybe two or three to strengthen the group, but not four, five, or six. I’d like to consider we’ll have the opportunity to do that because the prize is big at the end of the season.”
It is difficult to disagree with Wilder that clarity is needed amid the ongoing takeover uncertainty at Bramall Lane.
While the club issued a firm denial of reports that Prince Abdullah is refusing to sign off on the deal, the true reasons behind the current delay are unknown, and that will be a concern for Blades supporters
There is no doubt that United needs additions in January as many have questioned if the team has the depth required to maintain an automatic promotion challenge. These concerns have only grown since midfielder Oliver Arblaster’s season-ending injury.
If their takeover is successful, Rosen and Eltoukhy are reportedly willing to contribute money in January. However, it is uncertain if the Blades could continue operations in the event that the deal falls through, and a bad winter window could undo the fantastic work that Wilder and his team have done so far this season.
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