Exclusive:Sheffield United make decision over another player's future as Blades, Rangers transfer "target" keeps options open

Veteran Ben Mee will leave Sheffield United this summer when his contract expires, The Star understands, as the Blades prepare for a dramatic reshape of their squad. The 36-year-old former Brentford and Burnley man signed a one-year deal at United last summer, which contained an option to extend.

But that option will not be taken up by United, which will not come as a huge shock given Mee has not been seen in a matchday squad since January 31’s draw away at Millwall. The previous game, a 3-1 home win over promotion-chasing Ipswich Town, was his 16th in Blades colours.

But it is also set to be his last, having fallen out of favour in the weeks since. The change of shape, to a back four, has not helped his cause, with Tyler Bindon’s resurgence seeing him establish himself alongside skipper Japhet Tanganga until the latter part of the season.

Boss Chris Wilder has already signalled as many as 19 players could leave the Lane this summer, with fellow veteran Danny Ings potentially following Mee out of the exit door as the Blades prepare for the next chapter after an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign.

Fellow centre-half Leo Hjelde will also depart when his loan spell from Sunderland officially expires and with question marks over Mark McGuinness’ future after some poor displays recently, it leaves only skipper Tanganga with any real certainty at centre-half ahead of a key summer.

Wilder’s search for experienced players is no secret but he is also a manager who keeps half an eye on the future and the Blades have been linked with 22-year-old Dundee defender Luke Graham, who is also reportedly on the radar of Glasgow giants Rangers.

Two more Championship sides, QPR and Portsmouth, were also said to be interested in Graham, who has been nominated for the PFA Scotland player of the year award for his performances in the middle of Steven Pressley’s defence.

For now though Graham is fully focused on helping his side stay in the Scottish Premiership. "A few of my mates have been texting me, saying: ‘Where are you off to?’ and stuff like that,” he admitted. “But you just try to block it out, and I think I did that really well in the January window.

“To keep focusing on my own game and not listen to the outside noise. I’ve loved it at Dundee. To be honest, I couldn’t give you a proper answer on where I envision myself next season. All I’m trying to do is focus on keeping Dundee in the league.

"There are four games left in the season and we just need to move on to the next one and try and secure our safety as soon as possible. No, really, I don’t know [about the level of interest from other clubs]. I don’t want to get too involved in that while the season’s still ongoing so I really couldn’t tell you."

Pressley has previously admitted that his side’s “biggest problem” this summer will be trying to hold onto their prized asset, who he described as “outstanding” recently. “He’s grown week after week,” the former Scotland international added.

“Our biggest problem, it’s obvious, is trying to hold on to him or trying to replace him. That’s going to be the hardest part of the summer. It may be the case that we just have to enjoy him while he’s here.

“I think that it’s the nature of the way football works. We’re not the only selling club. There’s maybe only one or two clubs in the world that aren’t selling clubs. We have to accept that.

“But as the club have shown over the January window, Luke Graham won’t be leaving unless we get the fee that we think is acceptable and reflects his value. And that seems to grow by the game.”