Sheffield United lodge bids with transfer targets after being linked again with a new goalkeeper

Wilder's men secured a ninth-placed finish in the top-flight at the weekend, despite losing their final game of a memorable campaign away at Southampton.

That netted the Blades around £120m in prize money, although the situation is complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic and any rebate payable to TV companies after the season's suspension.

Wilder has already conceded that his budget will be affected by the decision to resume the season behind-closed-doors, with a loss of gate money and refunds costing the club on top of the loss of additional matchday revenue.

But the Unted manager will not let that stop him attempting to make his group even stronger, with the transfer window officially opening for business on Monday. Wilder had already made his first summer signing, free agent goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, before that point.

He is looking to tie up a deal for Reading midfielder John Swift, while the Blades have also been linked with a move for Uğurcan Çakır, the Trabzonspor goalkeeper. United still hope that Dean Henderson will return for a third loan spell, but have compiled a list of alternative targets in case the on-loan Manchester United man remains with Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side.

"We'll have to strengthen," Wilder admitted. "I have to make the relevant changes we need, and I'm looking forward to doing that.

"We're working extremely hard to improve the group. It's been a balancing act, to prepare the players and look medium and long-term as well to improve the football club."

Swift, the former Chelsea youngster, flew to Spain with a number of his Reading teammates after the final game of the Championship season - and will now have to self-isolate for two weeks upon his returns, thanks to restrictions put in place by the UK Government following a rise in Covid-19 cases in mainland Spain.

Newly-promoted Leeds United and Aston Villa, who could lose captain Jack Grealish this summer, are also keen on signing Swift.