Sheffield United can't afford to let takeover delay lead to stagnation

The wheels may finally be grinding into motion as Chris Wilder straddles two owners - the existing one and the potential new ones - in an attempt to get the go-ahead for low budget signings.

“Be patient,” say a few outnumbered voices on social media. “The takeover delay is part of the process.”

True, but if the process also means sending Sheffield United into a new season woefully unprepared then it appears to have been bang on course. To quote another voice: “The club can’t tell the fans anything because of EFL rules.” Ok then, the club hasn’t said anything at ANY stage, on this or the two previous sagas, even to confirm initial talks.

So it is good to pick up some vibes of action stirring. This from a very challenging and limited rebuilding remit that, from my understanding, allows for around five loans, a number of free signings and the allocation of some of any money raised from sales. After all, it is to no-one’s advantage to freeze the business of the club while waiting for a still-being-negotiated buy-out to come to fruition. (Or not, as the case may be).

Not in the interests of the prospective new owners, an unidentified American consortium, who can’t want to start behind the eight ball. And not in the interests, either, of Prince Abdullah to devalue the playing side of the club should the deal fall through. So there has to be a bridging contingency to put at least some trading in motion. In that, manager Wilder will be attempting the tricky task of gaining approval on deals from both parties. Wilder ended last season with a clear and definite plan. He was unfazed by being restricted financially, believing he could press the right buttons on it all. The reason he still had a relish for what lay ahead is that, having prepared the ground, he had a fair idea of many of the pieces to fit in place. So it’s best to get a move on. Targeted players can’t wait indefinitely, nor those at the club exploring new deals. And neither can United. There is no guarantee that a takeover will be thrashed out or approved by the EFL.

Yes, it could be seen as a tantalising prospect, projecting United to a new level, but prospect is all it is until delivered. In the here and now, the club can’t afford stagnation at a time when - as the Blades know to their cost - to leave things late is potentially disastrous. Better late than never.