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Sheffield United have been backed by many Championship fans as favourites for promotion next season, but that could hinge on how the Blades end their summer window.
Pressure is on new Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season.
Sheffield United are Championship title favourites for next season, as per the OPTA supercomputer projections.
Despite making some positive signings akin to the loan move for Louie Barry from Aston Villa, the Blades have lost two crucial figures this week, in Kieffer Moore and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
As a result, one Blades expert has admitted that “serious work” must be done in the market if Selles’ side are to live up to the lofty expectations.
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Sheffield United have ‘serious work’ to do in transfer window
Earlier this summer, Sheffield United lost Vini Souza to Wolfsburg for a fee in the region of £13m.
Over the last week, the Blades have lost three key figures from their squad, with Rhian Brewster joining Derby County, Ahmedhodzic moving to Feyenoord and Moore making the switch to newly promoted Wrexham.
Sheffield United fans were ‘gutted’ by Ahmedhodzic’s exit for the Dutch giants, and the Blades transfer team must fill the void left by the centre-back’s switch.
With the Blades losing two of last season’s top scorers and their star centre-half, Sheffield Star reporter Alan Biggs believes action is needed.
Biggs explained on X: “Sheffield United’s sales of Kieffer Moore & Anel Ahmedhodzic (both at a profit on fees paid) underline that transfer business has to be two-way.
“There was contract pressure with AA, so sensible. But does also mean some serious recruitment necessary.
“The balance on this is that there’s some serious work to be done on improving the squad now. A test of the ambition & resources of SUFC’s new owners, who, in fairness, did come through last January.”
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Sheffield United suffer blow in pursuit of Anel Ahmedhodzic replacement
Sheffield United were reportedly pursuing Hull City defender Charlie Hughes as a potential replacement for Ahmedhodzic.
Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic values Hughes at £20m after his impressive campaign at the heart of the Tigers’ defence, and he will be reluctant to lose another central defender after Alfie Jones joined Middlesbrough.
On Hughes, Jakirovic told BBC Humberside Sport that “there is no chance” Hughes leaves this summer.
EFL Analysis understands that former Sheffield United are most likely to sign Chris Mepham this summer in the wake of his stellar loan stint at Sunderland from Bournemouth.
The Welsh international would be a more than capable replacement for Ahmedhodzic on paper, and time is of the essence for Selles and the Blades transfer team to get a new centre-back in before the opening weekend clash against Bristol City.