Sheffield United boss’s warning explains modest transfer approach amid takeover speculation

Boss Paul Heckingbottom has insisted that preserving Sheffield United’s off-field health is just as important as making any progress on it this summer, amid ongoing speculation about the future ownership of the Premier League-bound Blades.

Owner Prince Abdullah has made no secret of his desire to move the club on this summer and although it is understood that reports over the weekend of ‘advanced talks’ with a Saudi consortium over an £140m sale are premature, there is definite interest in the Blades from a host of would-be owners in different parts of the world.

Any prospective deal would face a race against time to be approved before the start of the Premier League season, with the top flight’s owners’ and directors’ test currently more stringent than its EFL equivalent which Dozy Mmobuosi, the Nigerian businessman who struck a deal with Prince Abdullah late last year, struggled to satisfy.

As a result United are working to a modest budget for permanent signings this summer, of around £20m, with heavy emphasis set to be placed on loans and free transfers as Heckingbottom looks to assemble a squad capable of competing in the top-flight when the new campaign begins at home to Crystal Palace on August 12.

“First and foremost, rather than thinking about where we want to finish in the league, it's about doing our work now,” Heckingbottom admitted. “Every day is important and every minute of every day in where we stand now in working as hard as we can to get as competitive a squad as we can.

“And then that'll go into the season. Every game, every minute of every game, scrap for every point. Ultimately the aim is to try and stay in the Premier League, we know that but we've also fought really hard off the pitch to stave off any trouble. So we need to make sure we're conscious of that.

“Building the club away from the pitch is just as important. The troubles we went through last season, I'd hate for them to be back and for anyone to face those again. Remaining in the Premier League is important, but trying to build the club is equally as important.”