Sheffield United have seen another player leave the club this summer and there could be more departures to come
Leeds United Championship rivals Sheffield United have seen another player join their growing departure list this summer. The Blades are facing something of a summer exodus after being relegated from the Premier League, and Ben Osborne’s decision to join Derby County on a free transfer this summer could be seen as something of a blow.
Osborn was in talks over a new deal to stay at Bramall Lane, but after seeing talks stall, he has now signed a two-year deal with Derby. The midfielder was born in Derby and the move gives him the chance to play for his boyhood club after spending the last five years with the Blades.
There could be a few more departures as the club continue to discuss terms with Oli McBurnie, Daniel Jebbison and John Egan. At the moment, none of them have agreed to extend their stay in South Yorkshire and unless something changes, the trio will officially become free agents on Monday (July 1).
If they leave, they will join a departure list that already includes George Baldock, who has joined Panathinaikos, West Ham United-bound Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe, who has made a controversial move across town to Sheffield Wednesday. Oliver Norwood, Chris Basham and Jordan Amissah have also been released but are yet to find new clubs.
With Ben Brereton Diaz, Yasser Lorouci, James McAtee and Mason Holgate also returning to their parent clubs, Chris Wilder’s squad looks stretched to say the least.
This comes ahead of Cameron Archer’s imminent return to Aston Villa, with Anel Ahmedhodžić and Ivo Grbić reportedly attracting interest.
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As Leeds encountered at the start of the summer, takeover negotiations and the delay that comes with them at Bramall Lane with a group of unknown American investors looking to buy the club is not helping.
Such uncertainty has prevented Chris Wilder’s side from committing to financial matters this summer and the longer talks drag on, the further the Blades look set to end up in the market.
Sheff United already know they will start the new Championship season two points adrift after failing to pay the other clubs, and with Wilder’s side looking so tight at the moment, they may just struggle to hang on in the early stages at least. campaign.
They are the fifth most likely to be promoted this season, behind Leeds, Burnley, Luton and Middlesbrough, according to the bookies, but it looks like there will be plenty of work to do between now and the end of the transfer window.