Sheffield United on the brink of signing two international footballers

Sheffield United are poised to complete deals for “two international footballers” before their Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers later this month, manager Chris Wilder has confirmed, after revealing his team’s transfer activity has “ratcheted up” in recent days.
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Although he declined to confirm the identity of the duo seemingly destined for Bramall Lane, Wilder is known to have expressed an interest in Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster - the England under-21 striker - and Scotland’s Oliver Burke, who represents West Bromwich Albion.

Acknowledging that he wants”more pace and power” at the “top end of the pitch - centre-forward Lys Mousset suffering an injury during today’s friendly with Preston North End - Wilder also appeared to suggest that United’s interest in Reading’s John Swift has cooled; declaring himself satisfied with competition for places in his midfield.

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“We’ve got bids in,” he told The Star. “There’s a process we go through - finding out if people are available, then going to the club - we don’t put silly bids in or play about at it. We put in what we believe are serious offers.

“There’s two or three on the table now and we’re down the line with those. I’m hoping two, maybe three, will be in by Tuesday or Wednesday when the internationals finish.”

Emmanuel Dennis of Club Brugge is another name linked with a move to Bramall Lane in recent weeks, while Wilder has also been scouring the market for reinforcements at wing-back and centre-half. United made an approach for Matty Cash, the former Nottingham Forest defender, before he completed a move to Aston Villa.

“We want to see competition for Geotge and Enda, on both sides of the pitch, and also possibly another one in the back three,” Wilder said. “We need that. I don’t want to stand still and we can’t stand still. We’ve got to drive it forward and I’m grateful for the support the board is giving me to try and do that.

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“I’m happy with what we’ve got in the middle and one of the lads we’re looking to bring in can also play there.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says his team are close to a breakthrough in the transfer market: Glyn Kirk/PA Wire.Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says his team are close to a breakthrough in the transfer market: Glyn Kirk/PA Wire.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says his team are close to a breakthrough in the transfer market: Glyn Kirk/PA Wire.

“We’re talking about using the loan market, here and foreign, too.”

“Yes, we had an interest in Matty,” Wilder continued. “But we have a valuation and we can’t compete with the type of numbers that were getting talked about. He’s somebody else’s player now and so we move on. The Championship is a market we are looking at and there’s lots of good players in there.”

John Lundstram and Billy Sharp were on target as United completed their warm-up programme ahead of September 14th’s meeting with Wolves by drawing 2-2 with Preston, who equalised with the last kick off the game. Wes Foderingham, Wilder’s first summer signing, started in goal but his second, Aaron Ramsdale, was away on international duty.

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“I can’t stand here and say they didn’t deserve something,” Wilder said. “I thought they did. But I think, overall, we’re in good shape.”

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