On transfer deadline day Sheffield United weren’t done with business as two more new signings arrived.
It took the total of new arrivals this summer since earning promotion to the Premier League to ten.
It has certainly been a busy window for manager Chris Wilder as he prepares the Blades for their first top flight season in 12 years.
So how would we assess their work in the transfer market? Here’s where we would place them from ten to one.
Ranking the Sheffield United new signings
10. Michael Verrips
Signed on a free transfer from KV Mechelen, Verrips bolsters the goalkeeper options at Bramall Lane but in truth is unlikely to play unless there are injuries or suspensions.
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9. Ben Osborn
The Yorkshire Post reports that Osborn arrived in a £5m deal from Nottingham Forest after an initial £3m bid was rejected. A versatile backup who can play in midfield or on the left, the 24-year-old is unlikely to start.
8. Lys Mousset
There were a few raised eyebrows when the Blades paid a then club record £10m (BBC) fee to Bournemouth for Mousset. Especially as he scored just five goals in 71 appearances for the Cherries – although most of those were from the bench.
7. Ravel Morrison
Wilder has taken a gamble that he can finally be the coach to get the best out of unfulfilled talent of Morrison. However, it is a relatively inexpensive one, with the 26-year-old arriving on a free from Ostersund and signing a one-year contract.
6. Muhamed Besic
A deadline day arrival on loan from Everton, Besic is the defensive midfielder that Wilder was seeking. Much of his experience in English football is in the Championship, though, but the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is an energetic battler.
The top 5
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5. Luke Freeman
The first to break the club’s transfer record this summer when joining from QPR for £5m – according to the Yorkshire Post. Freeman tore up the second tier of English football last term, but doesn’t actually have any Premier League experience.
4. Phil Jagielka
The return of a club legend who last played for the Blades when they were last in the top flight in 2006/07. Since then Jagielka has been at Goodison Park, gaining huge experience as captain and an England international. Even at 36 the defender still has much to offer.
3. Callum Robinson
Another from the Championship that Wilder believes can make the step up, Robinson was another to break the club record when signed from Preston North End for £8m (Yorkshire Post). The potential of the 24-year-old suggests that could be a bargain, though.
2. Oli McBurnie
The most expensive Blade of all time by some way, with McBurnie signed from Swansea City in a deal worth up to £20m (BBC). Yet at 23 and with 22 league goals under his belt last year, the Scotland international has so much to offer.
1. Dean Henderson
The signing that seemed the most easy to complete but actually went on a lot longer than expected, Henderson did eventually rejoin on loan from Manchester United. The goalkeeper is going places and is an assured starter and leader if fit.
