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It’s been over a week since Sheffield United felt play-off heartbreak once again, and now that the post-mortem is over from that fateful day in May, the club need to look forward to the future.
The Blades were hit hard by Tommy Watson’s 95th minute winner at Wembley, with his goal securing Sunderland’s place back in the Premier League after eight years away and Chris Wilder could do nothing but watch on as the Wearsiders celebrated.
Yet now, with a new month ahead of them and the transfer window finally open, the South Yorkshire outfit must power through and bring in the new faces that they need to compete for an automatic promotion place in 2025/26.
Defenders are already being targeted, with both Jimmy Dunne and Chris Mepham on Sheffield United’s radar, but there is also a desire for a new forward and a former favourite is being tracked by Wilder. However, they must avoid the move.
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Sheffield United show interest in Oli McBurnie
It was not the greatest of seasons for the Blades’ strikers, with Tyrese Campbell ending the campaign as the top scorer on 11 goals in all competitions and, therefore, it is not a surprise to see Oli McBurnie linked with a move back to Bramall Lane.
Alan Nixon reported on Sunday that Sheffield United are one of three Championship sides to show an interest in the striker, who is currently playing his football out in Spain for Las Palmas.
Hull City also want to entice McBurnie back to England, while Swansea City have him on their shortlist, but Celta Vigo are hoping to keep the 28-year-old (who turns 29 on June 4) in La Liga.
With the Spanish club in the Europa League next season, they will be in pole position to land the signature of the Scotland international, and the Blades must not find themselves involved in a transfer battle.
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Chris Wilder must avoid signing Oli McBurnie this summer
Silly season is well underway, and the next few months will be incredibly busy for every single club in the EFL with new players needed as they look to improve on the last campaign.
With Sheffield United showing an interest in McBurnie, it is clear to see which area of the team Wilder is targeting for improvement after Tom Cannon failed to impress during his time with the club.
However, the soon-to-be 29-year-old has never truly been prolific for the Blades, and without a leader in that forward position, as they had when Billy Sharp was at Bramall Lane, McBurnie’s inconsistency in front of goal may just continue.
He scored just three goals in 34 La Liga games for Las Palmas this season, and Sheffield United must find a player with confidence in the final third in the summer, as building that up with a player that lacks it will take time.