Record signing Lys Mousset has confirmed Sheffield United have tried to sign him before.
Mousset joined the Blades from Bournemouth in a club record £10m deal (BBC Sport). However, if manager Chris Wilder had his way the striker would have been his player 12 months before that.
“I’m very happy,” Mousset told the official website.
“He (Wilder) wanted me to come here last year but Bournemouth said no. Now I’m here. It’s a huge club.”
Mousset became the club’s fifth new signing of the summer following their promotion to the Premier League. It was also the third time they sanctioned a record fee.
As the Sheffield Star reports, first they paid QPR £5m for Luke Freeman and then Callum Robinson joined from Preston North End for £8m.
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Phil Jagielka and Ravel Morrison have also been signed on free transfers.
Who’s next after Lys Mousset?
Transfer business at Bramall Lane isn’t expected to be over just yet, though. Wilder has already confirmed he expects to complete a deal for versatile Nottingham Forest player Ben Osborn.
“Yes, we’ve been in discussions with Nottingham Forest regarding Ben, so I think that’s open and out there,” the Blades boss told BBC Radio Sheffield following the 5-0 friendly win over Chesterfield.
“We’re hoping to conclude that.
“It’s important that we get the squad structure right and have some real competition and Ben’s an outstanding performer for Forest and hopefully we can get that over the line in the next 24/48 hours.”
According to the Sheffield Star, a deal to bring back Dean Henderson on loan remains very much on. The Manchester United goalkeeper greatly impressed for the South Yorkshire side last season.
David de Gea signing a new contract at Old Trafford is expected to kick-start some progress in that transfer.
A new striker is also a priority, with the Yorkshire Post reporting that Oli McBurnie is the most likely target. The Blades have already had a £15m opening offer for the Swansea City top scorer rejected.