Sheffield United summer transfer plans already underway amid Leeds United star interest clarity
Sheffield United summer transfer plans already underway amid Leeds United star interest clarity
Chris Wilder has been consistent in his message that Sheffield United’s season is not over until the last kick of the ball on the final day at Derby County - but that hasn’t stopped plans already being drawn up for a crucial summer ahead for the Blades. United still have a mathematical chance of the play-offs, but have given themselves a mountain to climb in the last week.
They are preparing for the weekend trip to Birmingham City eight points off sixth-placed Wrexham, who also have a game in hand on the chasing pack and the potential to stretch their lead even further.
It will take something special for the Blades to gatecrash the play-offs at this stage and for some sections of the fanbase thoughts have already turned to the summer and next season, when hopefully the club’s hierarchy learn the expensive lessons of the mistakes they made 12 months earlier.
The loss of parachute payments, plus new rules limiting the investment owners can make in English clubs, will affect United, even if Wilder and Co. have proven adept in the past at working with restricted budgets. This has never been a chequebook club, and isn’t about to start being one now.
And the final part of the season will also help Wilder and his coaching staff cement decisions in their mind about which players will join them on the journey going forwards, and which ones they will attempt to move on in the summer as they look to reprofile and trim a bloated squad.
Sheffield United summer transfer plans already underway amid Leeds United star interest clarity
“Yeah, we've got ideas, like we did last season in terms of plans,” said Wilder of the summer transfer market ahead. “Obviously at this stage of the season last year, we had recruitment plans for two scenarios. And we've definitely got a plan for the scenario of obviously in the Championship.
“If something happens and we go on a terrific run, then that would be a nice problem to deal with. But still, we're looking at it. And who's going to be on the journey? Because we certainly won't be in the position that we're in now next season. Absolutely, 100 per cent.”
The season is not yet over and the rumour mill is already in overdrive with regard to players that the Blades are reportedly keeping tabs on. United are understood to be monitoring the progress of Regan Slater at Hull City, who recently took up the option to extend the Blades academy graduate’s contract for another 12 months.
Speaking recently, Slater admitted he has not yet been offered fresh terms by the promotion chasing Tigers. "I've not been offered a contract,” he said. "I would love to be offered one but I've not.
“We need to know where we're going to be as a team next year but it would be nice to be rewarded. But as of now, I'm going to be here next year and I'll just concentrate on my football.
“The summer's coming quickly so it's not like I've got to wait too long. It’s nice not to have to go into the summer or later on into this season with it kind of weighing on me, not that it really has."
United have also been credited with interest in Leeds United youngster Harry Gray, who is currently enjoying a first senior loan at United’s neighbours Rotherham United. But senior figures behind the scenes have suggested to The Star that the forward, who doesn’t turn 18 until October, is not currently a player on the Blades’ radar, with the summer focus set to be placed on more experienced players.