Sheffield United transfer notebook: Clarity on free agent “interest”, rivals eye Blades-linked man, Alan Knill reaction

The summer transfer window doesn’t officially open until later this month but that hasn’t stopped Sheffield United fans steadily getting excited about the work their club will do in the coming weeks and months. The Blades are hard at work behind the scenes in a key period in their recent history.

The discussion this week has been dominated by news that Alan Knill will leave Bramall Lane this summer, which we first revealed yesterday. Knill has been a trusted ally of boss Chris Wilder for around two decades but United’s owners are looking to the future.

There has been some debate on social media whether it was a boardroom call, but our understanding is that Wilder was not thinking of making further changes to his backroom staff this summer - after the departure of Gui Ramos was decided - and it wasn’t Knill’s decision to leave, either.

There have also been local reports that Guilherme Ramos is also set to depart this summer and while they have not been confirmed, United are without doubt undergoing another coaching staff reshuffle with an eye on the future.

Micky Collins, the former Blades’ U21 coach, has been identified as one potential candidate to take on more responsibility while United are expected to bring in at least one new coach. But that will not be Billy Sharp, as things stand, with the former striker needing to earn his coaching stripes once he hangs up his shooting boots.

In the meantime it’s worth paying tribute to Knill, one of the last few gentlemen in the game and a man who has played a huge role in the transformation of United’s fortunes over the last 10 years. Whether he returns to the game, after the shock subsides, remains to be seen. But either way, Unitedites will wish him well.

Clarity on Sheffield United’s Will Smallbone links

Another person discussed this week on United social media is Will Smallbone, the former Blades target who is looking for a new club this summer after confirmation that he will leave Southampton. United have been keen on the midfielder before and are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements after Jairo Riedewald’s release.

But sources close to United have indicated to The Star that Smallbone is not an active target this summer. His recent injury record has not been the best, which no doubt contributed to the decision for him to move on.

And United are in discussions with Manchester City about another move for Kalvin Phillips, although it will take another heavy subsidy from the Premier League giants for the deal to be possible.

Phillips is keen to make the return to Bramall Lane and show Unitedites what he can do after a frustrating loan spell last season, which saw him make just three appearances before injury brought it to a premature end.

New Championship rivals cast glance at Blades-linked Middlesbrough man

With boss Wilder keen to add more personality and character to his side this summer, and a dire need for centre-half options, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to imagine Middlesbrough man Dael Fry as a potential Blades target.

There have been links, and the extent of any United interest is not currently known. But Fry is set to become a free agent this summer, as things stand, and United’s new Championship rivals Burnley have been linked.

Fry worked with Wilder during their time at the Riverside and the former speaks highly of the latter. United waved goodbye to Tyler Bindon, Ben Mee and Leo Hjelde at the end of the season and may yet move on Mark McGuinness if the right offer comes up this summer.