Double Sheffield United exit gives Chris Wilder a serious task: View | OneFootball

The Blades boss has plenty of work to do this summer to rebuild his squad ahead of the Championship campaign

Highlights

Chris Wilder has some job on his hands this summer with Sheffield United, as the Blades boss looks at address key departures all over the pitch at Bramall Lane.

The Steel City outfit have had to say goodbye to a number of key assets across the summer, with the likes of Chris Basham, Wes Foderingham and Oli Norwood departing the club, as well as George Baldock and Max Lowe.

Ben Osborn and John Egan have also left the Yorkshire outfit during the close-season, while two key attacking stars have walked away from the club upon the expiration of their contracts.

With Oli McBurnie and Daniel Jebbison both moving on to pastures new this summer, the former Oxford United boss has a job on his hands to find attacking talent ready to fire the Blades into the promotion picture once the season gets underway.

Chris Wilder needs urgent attacking reinforcements after Sheffield United mass summer exodus

With the Blades squad down to the bare bones as it stands, Wilder’s task has been made even tougher by the fact that his side’s prolonged takeover is still yet to be completed.

Current owner Prince Abdullah has had the club up for sale for over a year now, with proposed deals to move the club onto new ownership falling through in the past, with a California-based consortium the latest to hold an interest in taking over the club.

But the dealings in the background show no sign of coming to a conclusion anytime soon, and that means that the red and white side of Sheffield continue to wait for any sign of incoming transfer activity this summer.

Wilder has already gone on record to say that he will have to work on a shoestring budget until the matter is resolved, with the relegated Premier League side likely to scouring the free agent market to see what bargains they can find as it stands.

In McBurnie, United will be losing not just a talented goalscorer, but a player who always gave his all for the red and white shirt, with the former Swansea City man flourishing the last time he was in the second tier with the club.

The forward netted 13 times as the Blades secured Premier League promotion in the 22/23 campaign, in what proved to be something of a breakout season for teammate Jebbison, who featured 16 times for the club he came up through the ranks at.

The 20-year-old has gathered a reputation as a top striker in the making, and is said to be attracting interest from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United since walking away from Bramall Lane, while top European clubs were said to have been keeping tabs in the past.

With Rhian Brewster and Will Osula the only recognised strikers on the books at United as it stands, Wilder has his work cut out when it comes to finding replacements, with a busy summer expected once he gets the green light for transfers.

Sheffield United eying up Harrison Burrows, Ricky-Jade Jones deals

Despite their current transfer impasse, the Blades are still said to be interested in bringing Peterborough Untied duo Harrison Burrows and Ricky-Jade Jones to the club this summer.

Guardian Sport reporter Will Unwin confirmed their interest in the Posh pair earlier this week, with local reports in Peterborough already reporting that Burrows had completed a medical with the Championship side.

While Posh captain Burrows [pictured] will add plenty down the flanks if he were to move to Yorkshire this summer, it is the acquisition of Jones that could prove to be the shrewder signing of the two for the season ahead, with attacking options few and far between as it stands for Wilder.

The academy graduate contributed to 13 goals for Darren Ferguson’s side on their journey to the League One playoff semi-finals last season, with is dynamism and pace offering plenty for his side in the final third.

Newcastle United were also said to be linked with a move for the hotshot in the past, with the club said to have put a £2 million price tag on his head.

If things stay as they are, the Blades will be unable to meet that fee, and Wilder will be hoping things progress in the boardroom sooner rather than later, so they don’t miss out on transfer targets to their Championship rivals.