Sheffield United are told how they can land key target - but there's a catch

Nottingham Forest’s request to include Sheffield United midfielder Luke Freeman in the proposed deal which would see Matty Cash move in the opposite direction has left Bramall Lane’s coaching staff wrestling with a difficult conundrum, as they look to increase the depth of their squad.
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Results during last season’s ‘Project Restart’ exposed the need to sign more players with the ability to perform at Premier League level, with Chris Wilder’s struggling to cope with the demands of the rescheduled fixture programme.

Although Freeman missed the final month of the campaign because of injury, Wilder insisted the experience he gained after arriving from Queens Park Rangers would help him challenge for a regular place in United’s starting eleven next term.

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Cash, regarded as one of the most talented young defenders in the Championship, features on a four name wanted list compiled by United after capturing Wes Foderingham on a free transfer following his departure from Rangers. Wilder wants fellow goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to join him in South Yorkshire, after approaching AFC Bournemouth about the possibility of signing the 22-year-old. Reading midfielder John Swift and Wigan full-back Antonee Robinson complete the quartet.

Having submitted a straight cash bid for Cash, which was rejected by the Forest board, Wilder would clearly prefer to sign him outright. Freeman’s former team mate Kieron Freeman is also wanted by Forest but his contract with United, temporarily extended following the Covid-19 pandemic, expired following last month’s defeat by Southampton as Wilder’s men finished in ninth.

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