Sheffield United are in for a busy summer this year as Chris Wilder gets his mitts into what could be a massive rebuilding job.
United have a number of players out of contract come the summer. With relegation almost certain, there’s also likely to be a sale or two to help cushion the financial blow of going down.
Manager Chris Wilder has said that he is as clear as he’s ever been about what the club needs to do in the summer in terms of incomings and outgoings.
As it stands, the most saleable assets at the club are probably Vini Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic, and any number of the young players tied to new deals.
Of course, Wilder won’t want to lose any of those young players as he builds for the future.
But according to a report from the Daily Mail, impressive midfielder Oliver Arblaster is a target for Premier League high-flyers, Aston Villa.
Aston Villa and West Ham keen on Oliver Arblaster
The Blades won’t be panicking about Arblaster’s future given he only very recently put pen to paper on a new deal.
However, The Mail claims that both Aston Villa and West Ham hold an interest in the young midfielder ahead of the summer window opening.
Arblaster has started the last two Premier League games and has impressed a lot in both.
Indeed, Carl Asaba told Blades Heaven recently that he believed Arblaster has been ‘brilliant’ in handling the pressures of recent weeks.
“His performances are brilliant. The way he played against Bournemouth was great. To deal with all the hype of the England Elite squad, and then to go and score, it’s just brilliant,” Asaba said.
Should either Villa or West Ham want Arblaster, then United know they can demand big money.
And given he is English and still very much in the early days of his career, the fee United ask for could very much be pushing £20-25m.
Arblaster recently made his debut for the England Elite squad and then scored as well.
The youngster is expected to be key for United next season as Wilder reshapes his midfield.