Chris Wilder addresses Sheffield United interest in £5m-rated star after transfer “frustration” admission
Chris Wilder addresses Sheffield United interest in £5m-rated star after transfer “frustration” admission
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, has admitted to feeling a ‘touch of frustration’ in the transfer market as the Monday deadline to add players to his squad comes swiftly into view. The Blades have so far added Ki-Jana Hoever to their squad since the window opened, after signing the Wolves man on loan.
The United chief believes that Patrick Bamford and Jairo Riedewald, who is expected to be back for the derby clash with rivals Wednesday next month after his hamstring injury, should also be added to that bracket after signing as free agents last year, but he still wants to add at least a couple of players before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Some targets have come and gone elsewhere, including Sunderland man Dan Neil who opted to sign with United’s Championship rivals Ipswich Town despite strong interest from Scottish giants Rangers.
But there are a number of irons in the fire that remain active, even if no fresh blood is expected ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Millwall. “Nothing has happened over the last 24, 48 hours,” Wilder confirmed.
“It’s been a touch frustrating, from that point of view. I'd have loved to have got a couple of the players that we've been chasing involved for the weekend, but that's not to be. I understand it, and let's see how we go after the weekend. Obviously, we've got until Monday teatime to do some business but we’re all working as hard as we've ever have.
Chris Wilder addresses Sheffield United interest in £5m-rated star after transfer “frustration” admission
“We've identified players but these players will have other options as well. As I’ve always said, three things have got to be aligned - the club that wants a player, the club that the player's coming from and the player themselves. At the moment, they're not. But fingers crossed.
“I’ve always said, we will be stronger once the window shuts than we were when the window opens and I'm confident that will still be the case.”
Asked if United had missed out on key targets this window Wilder admitted: “Yeah, there have been a couple that have gone by, which we understand. But we're after good players. There are some other good clubs after these players as well.
“I understand that. It's not a negative as far as I'm concerned. We put our best foot forward on a couple. These things happen. As we all know, it's a moving target. It's a moving part of the game this period and we have to just be ready to act, which we have done with the backing of the owners and Steve Bettis [chief executive].
“We’re after quality, not quantity. Some of the boys have gone out, as you've seen. Some of the younger boys have gone out. We're getting players back, and getting more minutes into them which is vital and crucial.”
As we revealed yesterday Reyes Cleary, the impressive Barnsley winger, is one name on the Blades’ long-list of targets, which Wilder confirmed before making the trip to The Den. “We know about him, obviously,” the Blades chief said.
“With him being a local boy. When you see these boys that are playing at the moment, they are the type of boys that we are interested in. Young players. He's one that we've had a look at internally as well. But we wouldn't be doing our job if we weren't. Everybody in the Championship is doing the same as well.”