Sheffield United target £15m Sunderland star that Chris Wilder is a fan of, but there is a catch

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Sheffield United are reportedly interested in signing one Sunderland star, but it may depend on promotion to the Premier League.

Sheffield United’s promotion charge has taken quite a bump in recent weeks, with Chris Wilder’s side notching three successive defeats.

The most recent saw Sheffield United lose to Plymouth Argyle, in which Wilder confronted Plymouth Argyle players following full-time of the game that saw the Blades lose 2-1.

Nonetheless, hopes of automatic promotion are not completely tarnished, and the alternative route to the Premier League via the play-offs is still very much viable, and the Blades will have to succeed with either if they are to stand a chance of signing their next transfer target from Sunderland.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris admits where Sunderland ‘struggled’ during 1-0 Swansea loss, he must fix it for play-offs

Sheffield United target Sunderland star Dan Ballard as Blades target eight-figure deal

As EFL Analaysis exclusively revealed, Sheffield United have kept tabs on Oliver Antman, alongside fellow Championship side Leeds United, and now, the Blades have also targeted Sunderland centre-back Dan Ballard, per Alan Nixon on Patreon.

Northern Ireland international Ballard has had a brilliant spell at Sunderland since leaving Arsenal, however, this season has been plagued with injuries for the defender.

Wilder is reportedly keen on the centre-back, however, such a deal would only be possible if The Blades achieved promotion to the Premier League, with Sunderland failing in their upcoming play-off campaign.

The fee that could tempt Sunderland into a deal for Ballard could be in the region of £12-15million.

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Recent stat shows Sheffield United should be targeting alternative area

The Blades, whether they achieve promotion or not this campaign, will no doubt be looking at a recruitment drive ahead of the 2025/26 season, which could see a repeat of the recent January window where they splashed the cash on Tom Cannon and Co.

Unfortunately for Sheffield United and Wilder, attacking continues to be the Blades’ weakpoint, as seen by the fact that they have scored just one goal in their last three, coming against Oxford United, Millwall, and Plymouth Argyle.

Whilst the signing of centre-back Ballard will certainly be welcomes by the Sheffield United faithful, the concerns lie in the final third, an area that must be bolstered in the upcoming window.