⚔️ The Shoreham Journal - Sheffield United transfer latest: McBurnie, Poku, Mepham
Several names are being thrown around as Chris Wilder looks to improve his Sheffield United squad this transfer window... 🗞️
Hello and welcome to The Shoreham Journal, a free newsletter all about Sheffield United Football Club. In today’s edition, we round up the latest transfer rumours from Bramall Lane. If you’re enjoying this newsletter please consider forwarding it to another Blades fan. Word-of-mouth really helps The Shoreham Journal grow. Cheers.
It’s transfer season! 📰
👀 Sheffield United are interested in re-signing Oli McBurnie, according to transfer guru Alan Nixon. The 28-year-old striker signed a three-year contract with Las Palmas last summer, but that deal included a clause allowing him to leave on a free transfer if they suffered relegation from La Liga. Las Palmas were relegated, with the Blades expected to challenge Hull and Swansea, another of McBurnie’s former teams, for his signature.
The Shoreham Journal says… Re-signing McBurnie would uplift spirits at United following their loss to Sunderland in the Championship play-off final. He was a fan favourite at Bramall Lane during his five-year spell, scoring 15 goals during the promotion-winning season of 2022-23. He’s also a proven scorer at Championship level, bagging 22 league goals for Swansea in 2018-19.
🗣️ Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has urged United to sign Kwame Poku. The 23-year-old winger will become a free agent this summer after four impressive seasons with Peterborough, winning the EFL Trophy twice and earning a spot in League One’s Team of the Season for 2024-25.
“I think that would be a fantastic signing, I really do,” ex-United midfielder Hendrie told Football League World. “He's got bags of potential, I really like what he brings, and I think he would be a really, really good signing for Sheffield United pushing for promotion next time around.”
😬 If United do swoop for Poku, they’ll face stiff competition. Sunderland, Celtic and Rangers have all been linked with the player, with Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry claiming that 26 clubs are keen on him.
“The last time I heard, there were 26 clubs in for him,” Fry told GIVEMESPORT. “I’m not surprised. The kid has what it takes to reach the Premier League.”
🔜 Hendrie also believes Gus Hamer will leave Bramall Lane this summer. The 27-year-old midfielder is being linked with several Premier League clubs, including Everton and Leeds, after being named the Championship Player of the Season. The Blades could command a hefty fee for Hamer, as he still has two years left on his contract and cost £15 million from Coventry in 2023.
“If they (United) could keep him, it would be fantastic for the football club, but I think he will go in the summer,” Hendrie told Football League World. “I think someone will prise him from Sheffield United.”
🔥 If United do lose Hamer, EFL Analysis claims they will swoop for Jack Rudoni. The former Wimbledon and Huddersfield midfielder signed for Coventry a year ago and enjoyed an excellent first season in the West Midlands, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists. And he’s only 23.
👎 Yet the BBC’s Mantej Mann claims that Rudoni is happy at Coventry and wants to continue working with Frank Lampard after reaching the play-offs.
🏴 United are considering a move for Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham, according to Alan Nixon. The Wales international has made more than 60 appearances in the Premier League and recently helped Sunderland beat the Blades in the play-off final during a season-long loan spell.
💰 It’s claimed Mepham’s current top-flight salary could be a sticking point, and Chris Wilder may need the backing of United’s owners to get the transfer over the line. The 27-year-old is due to become a free agent this summer. The Blades already have three Wales internationals in the squad in Kieffer Moore, Adam Davies and Rhys Norrington-Davies.
🔜 Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has urged United to sign Jimmy Dunne in a chat with Football League World. The 27-year-old defender is out of contract this summer, and he’s yet to agree a new deal with QPR.
“Jimmy Dunne to Sheffield United makes a massive amount of sense,” said Goodman. “I should think that, in reality, Chris Wilder would be gutted that he wasn't able to bring him to the club in January. There were strong links.”
✅ David McGoldrick is a free agent again after turning down the chance to remain at Notts County, his boyhood club. The 37-year-old striker, who helped United win promotion to the Premier League in 2018-19 and was arguably the team’s best player for the following two top-flight campaigns, is on the hunt for a new team after scoring 17 goals in League Two last term.
Notts County’s board of directors said in a statement: “While we’re of course disappointed to be losing a player of David’s quality and character, he leaves having given us many fantastic memories over the last two years… It was special to see him realise his dream of returning to Meadow Lane, and we wish him all the best in the next chapter of his brilliant career.”
✍️ Have you got questions, opinions or feedback to give? Write to me using this form 👨💻
🇹🇷 John Lundstram, another former United star, could also be on the move this summer. The midfielder impressed for the Blades in the Premier League before joining Rangers on a free transfer in 2021. He then joined Trabzonspor last summer, but Turkish outlet Karadeniz Gazete claims that his contract could be terminated shortly, with Hull being a likely destination.
🤯 Football Insider has claimed that Wilder could be sacked by United. It’s said the club’s owners COH Sports will make a decision on his future over the coming days, with his contract set to expire in June 2028.
The Shoreham Journal says… It’s unlikely Wilder will be sacked. He’s a popular figure at Bramall Lane after dragging the club from League One to the Premier League during his first spell in charge between 2016 and 2021.
And the 2024-25 campaign was successful, with the team picking up 28 wins in the Championship and beating Sheffield Wednesday home and away with a relatively new squad. The Blades are moving in the right direction, despite the loss at Wembley. It’s not the time to press the panic button.
Great summary bud! Not popular but id be having Oli Mc back in a heartbeat