Regardless of what happens at Wembley this coming Saturday, Sheffield United will know it will be a busy and hectic summer ahead in South Yorkshire.
If promotion out of the Championship is won, Chris Wilder will need to add in some exceptional new bodies to give his team a fighting chance at securing survival, whilst sticking it out in the second tier will also bring about its own set of difficulties in terms of players such as Gustavo Hamer potentially wanting to move on.
Jack Robinson is looking likely to be a casualty whether promotion is won or not, considering the former Liverpool centre-back is yet to pen a new deal at Bramall Lane, alongside some restless natives finding lots of faults in his performances this season.
Therefore, one top priority this summer will be to bring in a fresh, imposing presence to line up in the heart of defence, with these three potential signings perhaps names on Wilder’s shopping lists, irrespective of whether they’re soaring up to the Premier League or stuck inside the EFL.
1 Harry Souttar
Harry Souttar could well return to United during the busy window, having been on the books of the Blades for 22 memorable games this season before his injury troubles took over.
When he was fit, the 26-year-old battled away valiantly for the cause, with Souttar averaging a high five duels won across his 21 Championship contests, on top of picking up 13 clean sheets.
It would be a major risk to go back in for the injury-ravaged defender – considering he is still sidelined with his torn achilles tendon – but there is definitely unfinished business between Souttar and Wilder’s men and he could be just what is needed when back to full fitness if Robinson does exit.
2 Harry Darling
Swansea City star Harry Darling is the talk of the town in the Championship at the moment with the Welshman looking likely to move on from his current home shortly.
Whoever does pick up the 25-year-old will win his services for free too, which has already piqued the interest of teams such as Birmingham City, but United have been admirers from afar for some time and he could be a sterling option to have around the building if Robinson does depart.
Games played
39
34
Goals scored
5
0
Assists
3
0
Touches*
74.5
68.6
Accurate passes*
53.9 (88%)
45.6 (86%)
Ball recoveries*
3.9
3.4
Clearances*
5.0
4.8
Total duels won*
4.9
5.4
Clean sheets
12
12
Looking at the table above, whilst Robinson does better Darling in terms of duels being won this season, the wantaway Swans defender appears to be more Premier League ready in most departments next to his experienced counterpart.
Indeed, the “heroic” star – as he was previously lauded by ex-boss Luke Williams – managed to chip in with five goals and three assists as a lively body at the back even as his current employers finished in 11th position, whilst also bettering the 31-year-old with more ball recoveries and clearances averaged.
Therefore, he might well be ready for a move to Wilder’s men, considering he’s proven himself as a top performer at EFL level with the potential to go on to become a Premier League-capable talent.
3 Jimmy Dunne
Similarly, adding in Queens Park Rangers’ powerhouse Jimmy Dunne to their defensive options would gift United another stylish body, away from the imposing figures of Robinson and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
The Blades were reportedly keen on Dunne’s services in January, and much like Swansea’s mid-table predicament, a move to United would presumably be appealing for the Irishman away from sticking it out with the lower Hoops.
With Dunne also capable of producing a moment of magic like this, he could be just the daring new option that makes Robinson’s first-team spot insecure.
Winning a mammoth 8.4 duels on average this season just gone too, the 27-year-old can further apply himself well as a gritty presence, meaning he could go on to form an intimidating defensive duo with the aforementioned Ahmedhodzic.
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