Gus Hamer’s potential £7m replacement ‘given permission’ to talk to Sheffield United

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Ruben Selles is in no doubt about the need for new additions at Sheffield United as the former Hull City coach steps into a sizeable Chris Wilder-shaped void with last season’s beaten Championship play-off finalists.

As things stand, Alfie Gilchrist, Ben Brereton Diaz, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Hamza Choudhury, Harry Clarke and Rob Holding – all of whom spent time on loan in the Steel City last season – will not be returning for 2025/26.

EFL Analysis understands that Gus Hamer and Michael Cooper have Premier League admirers, unsurprisingly. Rhian Brewster endured another poor season in front of goal but, featuring 42 times across all competitions, his departure as a free agent at the end of June would see another important player head for the exit.

“Obviously, some of the contracts are expiring. Some players are not going to be able to join us for next season,” Ruben Selles said this week following his unveiling as Chris Wilder’s replacement.

“So, we expect some players to join us and make us even more competitive.”

The comments made surrounding Midtjylland and Denmark Under-23 midfielder Oliver Sorensen, then, are unlikely to go unnoticed among the key behind-the-scenes figures at Sheffield United.

Sheffield United target Oliver Sorensen can leave Midtjylland this summer

The highly-rated Oliver Sorensen was actually linked with a move to Sheffield United back in 2024 as well.

He reportedly remains on the radar some 12 months on, despite claims of interest from the German Bundesliga and a price-tag reportedly set in the region of £7 million.

“We promised him [that Sorensen would be able to leave this summer],” Midtjylland chairman Claus Steinlein explains to Tipsbladet. “We have given him permission to study the possibilities, but it also has to be something that suits Oliver. And it has to be something that suits us.

“We are quite concerned about money, and Oliver is quite concerned about it being the right thing in terms of sport. You have to make sure that it works.”

As Sorensen himself admits, this will be no ordinary exit. The tireless central midfielder has spent a decade at Midtjylland, making over 120 senior appearances since his debut in 2019/20.

This is, Sorensen says, ‘all I know’.

“I’ve been in FC Midtjylland for ten or eleven years, so that’s all I know right now,” Sorensen explains, via Ekstra Bladet. “[But leaving] is part of football.

“When my time is over, it will be strange. I also think that when we get closer to what is about to happen, it will probably be sad for me.”

Sorensen could be tasked with replacing Gustavo Hamer at Bramall Lane

As one door closes, however, a window of opportunity opens for a man currently representing Denmark at the Under-21 European Championships.

“If there is the right match for all parties, then we are willing to [sell Sorensen],” confirms Jakob Larsen, Midtjylland director.

Sorensen won the Danish league title back in 2024, earning himself the club’s Player of the Year award along the way. During an impressive follow-up campaign, he scored ten goals while providing five assists from the centre of the park.

Replacements for the talismanic Gus Hamer – voted the finest footballer in the Championship last term – will not be easy to find. But Sorensen, with his tenacious approach, his impressive ball-striking and his eye for a defence splitting pass, possesses many of the attributes required.

In search of other additions, Sheffield United are in the mix for Eredivisie ‘assist king’ Oliver Antman. Willem Geubbels of St Gallen is another option.

This week, Geubells’ father/ agent hinted at a move away from Swiss football for a striker Monaco once paid £17 million for.