A number of recent heroes at Sheffield United will follow Ollie Norwood out of the Bramall Lane exit door this summer as Chris Wilder’s big Blades rebuild begins in earnest. The United chief is looking to assemble a squad capable of bouncing back to the Premier League at the first attempt this summer, following a poor relegation season from the Premier League.
As The Star revealed this morning Norwood is one of its first casualties, with a number of familiar faces also set to depart after this weekend’s final game of the season at home to Tottenham Hotspur. United have 18 players who, as things stand, could walk away for free in the summer, including their loan contingent but not counting players who will be sold. Here we have a look at their situations, in squad number order...
5. Oli McBurnie
United have long been in negotiations with the Scottish international striker about remaining at Bramall Lane and there is confidence from the corridors of power that he will remain | Getty Images
6. Cameron Archer
The former Aston Villa striker signed for the Blades in the summer on a permanent deal - with a clause obligating Villa to buy him back, at a pre-agreed price, should United drop back to the Championship this season. So his Blades career was short and sweet Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
7. Ben Brereton Diaz
The Chile international is on loan at United from Villareal and having moved to Spain only in the summer, is on a long-term contract - so if United want to keep him in the summer, he wouldn't be cheap Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
8. John Egan
Another player who has given incredible service to the Blades but is still sidelined with a long-term injury and United will want to see how he recovers before committing to anything Photo: Simon Bellis