Sheffield United are expected to target two new signings in the January transfer window – while another two are expected to leave.
That’s according to Yorkshire Live, who have given an update on the Blades’ plans for the new year.
In terms of who could be arriving, the number one target is a left-sided central defender.
This has been an ongoing problem for the South Yorkshire club this season. It’s since the news Jack O’Connell will miss the rest of 2020/21 after having a knee operation.
Despite manager Chris Wilder having said to have been “desperate” to sign a replacement for O’Connell in October, no one came through the doors at Bramall Lane.
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This has left Wilder with an issue at the back, with neither Jack Robinson or Enda Stevens having been an adequate backup. As a result, United’s impressive defensive record from last term has disappeared.
Instead, only four teams in the Premier League have conceded more this campaign. It’s left United rock bottom of the table.
They are therefore ready to use the transfer market to rectify this.
Who could Sheffield United sign in January?
Preston North End’s Ben Davies and Bournemouth defender Diego Rico both remain targets.
They are also looking to recruit a creative midfielder. However, it remains to be seen whether the board will give them enough budget to complete that as well.
The only certain name in this department is John Swift. The Blades had a £3.5m offer for the Reading man rejected in the summer.
Apparently the Royals wanted more than double that, but despite it being deemed too much, there is still interest in Swift.
Any move could also depend on John Lundstram. Wilder says the 26-year-old will not be signing a new deal with the club.
Lundstram is out of contract next summer and United may look to try and make at least some money by selling him in January.
If he does leave that could open up the door, as well as provide some funds, to sign a replacement.
So, who’s leaving?
Aside from Lundstram, there isn’t expected to be any first team players exiting in the new year.
The only likely departures are Kean Bryan and Simon Moore, who are both surplus to requirements in any case.
Moore hasn’t even been named in the Blades’ Premier League squad, with Aaron Ramsdale, Wes Foderingham and Michael Verrips all ahead of him as goalkeeper options.
Bryan has, but presumably only to make up the numbers having only played four times for the club since joining in 2018. The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One.
