Sheffield United are set for a huge summer rebuild and it looks like Chris Wilder is eyeing a top character as one of his first summer signings.
The Blades were hammered once again by Burnley yesterday as they all but confirmed their relegation back to the Championship.
Chris Wilder has spoken of the need to rebuild things this summer.
A number of players are out of contract while some of Paul Heckingbottom’s signings, such as Vini Souza and Auston Trusty, have struggled massively.
With that, it could give Wilder plenty of room to manoeuvre in the summer window.
And according to a report from The Sun, Wilder is eyeing up an experienced promotion winner as one of his first signings.
Sheffield United keen on signing Luke Ayling
According to the report, United hold an interest in the experienced defender.
Ayling, 32, is currently with Middlesbrough after leaving Leeds United and is expected to be on the market this summer if Boro don’t take up an option to keep him on.
The right-back was a key player for Leeds as they roared back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa and then played a big role as Leeds stayed up.
However, he has since been moved on by Daniel Farke as Leeds go in another direction back in the Championship.
But that doesn’t mean Farke isn’t impressed with Ayling. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Speaking to the BBC about Ayling, Farke admitted the defender was one of the best characters he’d ever come across in football.
“I pretty rarely talk about something like this but in terms of football character and team-mate character, Luke Ayling is second to none and probably the best player in these terms I’ve ever worked with. I’m really careful with such a compliment,” Farke said.
Experience and character are key for Chris Wilder
The Blades boss alluded to this yesterday but there are some in this current Sheffield United team who just don’t want to be here.
Wilder will hopefully root out those players this summer and from there, we’ll hopefully see an influx of players who do want to play for the club.
Luke Ayling, while arguably past his very very best, is a player you can see working with Wilder.
As Farke says in the comments above, Ayling is a model professional who is exactly the sort of character the United boss likes to have around.
With George Baldock probably on his way, signing Ayling for nothing could well be a smart short-term move.