Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is “excited” about potential incoming signings in January.
Wilder has made securing an attacking midfielder and a striker his priority in the upcoming transfer window. And with 11 days still to go until that opens, it seems some deals may already be close.
“It’s plainly obvious, we want to – need to – boost the group in January with two or three players coming in. We want to up the level. Good players are never scared of competition,” the Blades boss told the Sheffield Star.
“We are quite excited about one or two that we have worked really hard to make happen. Maybe one we will have to wait on.”
Who is Wilder targeting?
Some United fans think that they have figured out who the attacking midfielder will be.
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As one Blades supporter points out, this rumour appears to have started with a piece written by Pete O’Rourke for Football Insider.
It is a potential transfer that makes sense, however, with Kieran Dowell having made just two appearances for Everton this season – both in the Carabao Cup.
It appears Dowell is not in Marco Silva’s first team plans at Goodison Park, despite impressing while on loan at Nottingham Forest in 2017/18.
Although one United fan says the 21-year-old goes missing in games and lacks work ethic, he still scored an impressive ten goals in 43 matches for Forest last term.
This is despite the fact Dowell operates chiefly as a number ten. However, it is true he did not play in the Reds’ final six Championship outings, but then the England Under-21 international is still young and learning his craft.
Overall this looks like a fantastic deal for United if completed.
What about Woodburn?
Signing Dowell could also mean Ben Woodburn’s ill fated time at Bramall Lane would come to an end in January.
Woodburn has played just twice for the Blades since August 25 and has recently been back with Liverpool Under-23s to get game time.
Wilder has confirmed there are ongoing discussions between the two clubs about ending the 19-year-old’s loan stay early.