Sheffield Utd news: Raid for Southampton duo, search for a striker and takeover latest
Sheffield United secured another victory at the weekend, beating Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle 2-0 to go top of the Championship by three points.
Goals from Gustavo Hamer and Kieffer Moore saw Chris Wilder’s side defeat Argyle to stretch their unbeaten run in the league to 10 games.
The Sheffield Star reported today that potential new owners - American businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltou’s COH Sports group - would back the Blades boss Wilder significantly in the upcoming January transfer window.
Keen to strengthen his promotion bid, Transfer News Blitz’s writer Harry Whitfield takes a look at the latest targets being pursued by the veteran manager.
Blades plan a reunion for Chilean winger
Ben Brereton Diaz arrived at Bramall Lane on loan from Spanish side Villareal, scoring six times in 16 appearances.
His goals were not enough to see Blades avoid the drop, as they were relegated back to the Championship from the Premier League.
However, Wilder was impressed by his short spell with the club, according to The Sun's Alan Nixon, who says the Yorkshire club is interested in bringing him back.
Brereton Diaz joined Southampton after the disappointment of last season and has only started four league games this season.
Nixon also claims the Blades are taking interest in Southampton’s James Bree, the former Luton Town defender.
Primarily a right-back, Bree joined Southampton last season, playing 19 times as the Saints marched on towards promotion.
But with only three appearances to his name this season, Bree could look to force a move to play regular football again.
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Wilder looks at alternative forward options
Tyrese Campbell’s recent injury has reminded Wilder that he needs more options up front as his side chases promotion this season.
Campbell has six goals in 14 games, twice the amount that Moore has, as Scottish youngster Ryan One was given the nod to start against Argyle on Saturday.
With that in mind, Wilder will be keen to add his attacking ranks, and Nixon claims veteran Championship striker Ashley Barnes is on their Christmas wishlist.
The 35-year-old scored six goals for Norwich City last season but has missed most of the 2024/25 campaign due to a long-term injury.
Barnes returned against Plymouth and could provide valuable experience to the Blades - having three promotions to his name from the Championship, twice an English second-tier champion.
Nixon stated via his exclusive Patreon service that a more inexperienced but more exciting prospect for the Blades could be Peterborough United’s Ricky-Jade Jones.
Jones has been a target of Wilder’s for some time and has scored five times in 19 games for the Posh so far this season.
A pacy, agile forward - Jones has been touted for success ever since he came through Peterborough’s academy as a 16-year-old to make his debut against Arsenal U21s in an EFL Trophy game in 2019.
Now, he might finally secure the move that sparks his career into motion.
American company closes in on takeover.
The current Blades owner, Prince Abdullah, reportedly slapped an asking price of £105million on the club back in May when talks first began with the American consortium.
Now, according to BBC Sheffield’s Rob Staton, a deal has been struck and should be completed soon.
He said via X: “Per sources, Sheffield United’s takeover has been all signed. I’m told it is done, with an official announcement soon.
There has been a slight issue over a bonus payment to Prince Abdullah if the club secures promotion back to the top flight, according to The Sheffield Star.
But that has now been ironed out, and Wilder can set his sights on the transfer market to bolster the Blades squad as they chase a return to the Premier League.
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
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