Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Sheffield United have been busy so far in the summer transfer window after they fell to defeat in the Championship play-off final against Sunderland.
Sheffield United’s season ended in heartbreak for the Blades, after they were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at Wembley to miss out on Premier League promotion.
The summer transfer window represents an opportunity for the Sheffield United hierarchy to equip boss Chris Wilder with reinforcements as the Blades look to go one better next season.
Sheffield United and Birmingham are waiting for a decision from Crystal Palace regarding the potential of signing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this summer, and have also been targeting play-off final foe Chris Mepham, but could be trumped by Burnley in their pursuit.
Now, the Blades have reportedly identified a young target from the Bulgarian top flight.
Sheffield United target ‘special’ Bulgarian top flight talent Ehije Ukaki
Much has been debated about Sheffield United’s recruitment over the past season, and since the new ownership group came to power at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United’s new owners are insistent on utilising an AI-driven data model to scout and secure young potential prospects in European football, and according to reports in The Star, have found their next recruit in the form of Nigerian youngster Ehije Ukaki.
The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign at Bulgarian top flight outfit Botev Plovdiv this season, scoring seven goals in 34 league appearances, and featured two times in both the Europa League and Conference League.
Nigerian Ukaki’s season highlight was scoring the winning goal in a derby affair against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
Botev Plovdiv head coach Dusan Kerkez has said of the Sheffield United target this season: “(Ehije) Ukaki is a special talent.
“He’s working hard, listening, and stepping up in big moments. We believe in his potential.”
If the Blades’ interest in Ukaki materialises into a bid, the Nigerian will follow in the footsteps of mid-season signing and countryman Christian Nwachukwu, who arrived from Botev Plovdiv in February.
However, the 19-year-old winger has failed to make his debut for Sheffield United after moving due to visa issues and fitness concerns.
The Blades’ acquisition of another unknown entity to Sheffield United supporters would appear to indicate that the club are doubling down on the data-driven recruitment model, which Wilder has voiced some concerns with in recent months.
Sheffield United’s 24/25 recruitment proved why Blades want to change
Upon the arrival of Nwachukwu in February, Wilder told SUFC.co.uk: “Christian joins the club after being identified through our new data driven transfer strategy.
“We are discovering something new here and it may take time before we see some results, but we’re open to the new methods and we’re looking forward to working with Christian, and others, to see how far we can go with it.”
Although the young Nigerian has failed to make his first-team debut, the data-driven strategy will only help the Blades prosper in the future, and it’s clear that signing recognised second tier stars doesn’t guarantee success.
This season, Sheffield United shelled out an eye-watering £10 million to Leicester City for striker Tom Cannon, who cut his Stoke City loan short to join the promotion-hopeful Blades.
| Ehije Ukaki in 24/25 | Tom Cannon in 24/25 |
| Games – 41 | Games – 42 |
| Goals – 7 | Goals – 12 |
| Assists – 0 | Assists – 2 |
Cannon scored nine goals in 22 Championship appearances on loan at the Potters, but since his mid-season switch to Bramall Lane, the 22-year-old has scored just one league goal in 17 outings under Wilder.
After the play-off final loss to Sunderland, the club reiterated its intent to continue with its data-driven recruitment plan, explaining that: “We will do this by using data and analytics far more effectively to recruit the best and brightest talent.”
Wilder may need to exercise patience as the young prospects, including Ukaki potentially, become accustomed to life at the Blades, but the club can ill-afford to continue shelling out eight-figure fees for strikers to score just once.