Former Sheffield United target set to become free agent ahead of summer transfer window
Sheffield United are keen to improve the landscape of their squad this summer - and strengthening their midfield options is among their objectives.
Former Sheffield United transfer target Will Smallbone is reportedly going to leave Southampton when his contract expires at the end of this month.
The midfielder, who spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Millwall, has been on the Saints’ books for 18 years after coming through their academy. Smallbone joined the Saints around the age of eight-years-old and has made 90 first-team appearances for the club.
He played a key role in helping Southampton earn promotion from the Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season, providing the assist for Adam Armstrong’s winner in the play-off final at Wembley against Leeds United. He made 50 appearances across all competitions that term, scoring seven goals.
However, the 2023/24 campaign could have worked out differently for Smallbone had the Blades had their way. As reported by The Star at the time, United, who had recently returned to the Premier League, expressed interest in signing the midfielder during the 2023 summer transfer window.
However, Smallbone committed his future to Southampton, signing a new three-year deal in August of that summer. That contract is now, of course, almost at an end, and it has been reported by talkSPORT that he is set to move on this summer.
Interestingly, a report by SportsBoom in April once again credited the Blades with interest in the former Stoke City loanee, claiming United were ‘contemplating’ reviving their interest in him ahead of this summer’s window.
The Blades are keen to strengthen their midfield options this summer following the end of Djibril Soumaré’s loan and the exits of Jaïro Riedewald and Tom Davies. Manager Chris Wilder is keen to re-sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips after he spent the second half of the 2025/26 campaign on loan in S2.
United’s senior midfield options are currently made up of Sydie Peck, Oliver Arblaster, Joe Rothwell and Alex Matos, who is highly likely to leave Bramall Lane this summer.
United are going to have to box clever in this summer’s transfer window amid the lack of parachute payments and tightening financial rules, meaning boss Wilder is going to be expected to try and make the most of the situation. However, the Blades chief has a proven track record when it comes to signing players on free transfers and for smaller transfer fees.
Including three play-off appearances for Southampton in 2023/24, Smallbone is just one appearance short of a century in the Championship, meaning he is well-versed at this level. Wilder wants to recruit players who are ready-made for the Championship and have established themselves at this level.