In an attempt to get the greatest start to their season, Sheffield United will be hoping to complete the most of their summer transfer business prior to the start of the Championship season.
Following a poor Premier League season, the Blades are gearing up for life back in the second division.
The South Yorkshire team, led by manager Chris Wilder, wants to go back to the top division as soon as possible, but further signings and departures are probably necessary before they have a team strong enough to be promoted.
Three new players have already joined Sheffield United this transfer window: Sam McCallum, Keiffer Moore, and Callum O’Hare.
Wilder will likely want more, while also trying to keep the nucleus of his squad from the previous campaign.
With that said, here we have looked at two deals Sheffield United can be expected to make before the EFL kick-offs on August 9th…
IN: Matt Grimes
Despite having paid a fee to add Kieffer Moore to the team, Sheffield United is currently in a precarious financial condition as they wait for their new takeover to complete.
As a result, the Blades have likely not been able to conduct as much business as they would have liked due to the takeover situation.
Matt Grimes of Swansea City is reportedly being considered by United, who lost a number of first-team players at the end of last month due to expiring contracts. As a result, Wilder will likely look to add more players to his roster in the upcoming weeks.
Over the weekend, rumours circulated that Sheffield United’s potential new owners, a Silicon Valley-based US consortium, have identified Grimes – as well as Norwich City’s Kenny McLean – as potential midfield additions.
According to the report, the Swans will want a high price for Grimes since they are unwilling to let go of the midfield player easy.
However, Sheffield United may make a move for the playmaker in the last weeks before the new campaign begins.
The 29-year-old has participated in over 290 games at the level, giving him a wealth of Championship experience. Since moving to Swansea from Leeds United, Grimes has been a reliable starter for the team, contributing goals and assists in the majority of seasons.
Given that the midfielder plays a deeper-lying role—something they may be missing since Ollie Norwood left—he would be a fantastic fit at Bramall Lane.
Grimes’ contract is still in effect for three more years South Wales, so if Sheffield United wants to sign him, they’ll have to pay the transfer fee. However, there’s a good chance he’ll be lured to Yorkshire.
Gustavo Hamer
It is unclear how long Gustavo Hamer will stay a Sheffield United player.
Since Bramall Lane was relegated to the Championship, the midfielder’s future there has been uncertain.
Back in May, rumours circulated that Sheffield United was open to receiving offers for the Brazilian, with the condition that the Blades accept £15 million because of a contract clause.
Although Hamer just joined the team during the summer transfer window of the previous year, the Blades were reportedly trying to generate money for new players earlier in the summer.
Following this news, there have been rumours circulating that Wolves of the Premier League are interested in signing both Hamer and his teammate Anel Ahmedhodzic. Still, according to Express & Star reporter Liam Keen, the Premier League side are not pursuing a move for the pair
While Wolves may not be interested in the midfielder, it still appears likely that Hamer will leave Sheffield United at some point in this transfer window, as he is fully capable of playing in a top division.
Ideally, the Blades would rather get his exit sorted before the season begins than for him to still be at the club, play in their opening games of the campaign, and then leave towards the end of the transfer window.
Hamer’s future appears to be away from Sheffield United, as the Yorkshire side look to recoup the money they paid for him 12 months ago.
