Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United transfer message as Blades explore options over impressive 'wildcard' amid Harry Souttar pursuit
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United transfer message as Blades explore options over impressive “wildcard” amid Harry Souttar pursuit
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, admits that his side still need to be “clever and smart” in the transfer market this summer as the clamour for fresh faces only builds up amongst the fanbase. The Blades have so far added two new players to last season’s squad.
Romelle Donovan has impressed since signing on loan from Brentford as a replacement for Andre Brooks down the right while Matt Doherty’s free transfer arrival, after leaving Wolves, gave Wilder the cover and competition he was searching for with Femi Seriki at right-back.
Attention now turns to the other areas of his squad that are still light, primarily centre-back and the left wing. Rabbi Matondo is under consideration for the latter role, having impressed while in training and featuring in friendly wins against Levante and Huddersfield Town inside the last week.
United are exploring their options over the former Rangers man, who is free to leave Norwegian side Brann just months after making the move from Glasgow. The Welsh international can play on either flank and down the middle and is seen as a useful wildcard option ahead of the new season.
The top target for centre-back remains former loan star Harry Souttar, although Leicester City’s £10m valuation of the towering Australian international has complicated things somewhat.
United need two centre-halves this summer, with Nils Zatterstrom expected to leave again and Mark McGuinness deemed surplus to requirements and made available for a move just 12 months after being signed from Luton Town.
United play their penultimate game of an unbeaten pre-season so far at Rotherham United this weekend, before flying to Germany to take on Bochum next week. And Wilder said: “I understand people want signings, but we've got to be clever and smart.
“We've made two really smart signings already. Romelle has fitted in seamlessly, and Matt's in the building, Jairo is obviously committed to us again. We're chasing. We know what positions we're after.
“We're working extremely hard, in terms of a couple of positions that we need to fill. I want to get the right ones in. I don't just want to get them in for the sake of getting them in and everybody be excited.
“I want them to be excited when we announce them and go: ‘Yeah, that's a good one. I can see that one happening, I can see that one happening.’ I've got to get the recruitment right with the boys.
“Steve [Bettis, chief executive] is working extremely hard with me in tandem with the owners on that.”