Manuel Benson joins: How Sheffield United's dream end to the transfer window looks | OneFootball

We looked at some of the potential signings that would feature in a dream end to the transfer window for Sheffield United.

It is fair to say it has been a turbulent start to the season for Sheffield United, with events both on and off the pitch generating headlines.

After losing to Sunderland in last season's play-off final, Sheffield United made the controversial decision to part company with popular manager Chris Wilder due to disagreements over the club's new data-driven recruitment model, and he was replaced by Ruben Selles.

Selles has endured a tough start to his tenure at Bramall Lane, with results on the pitch failing to convince supporters that he is the right man for the job, and he also labelled the club's recruitment process as "not good enough" earlier this month.

The Blades have lost a number of key players in recent weeks, including Anel Ahmedhodzic, Vini Souza and Kieffer Moore, but it seems Selles' comments have prompted the board into action, and nine new signings have now arrived this summer in Mihail Polendakov, Tyler Bindon, Ben Godfrey, Nils Zatterstrom, Japhet Tanganga, Djibril Soumare, Ehije Ukaki, Louie Barry and Danny Ings.

With the 7pm deadline on 1 September looming, there are likely to be further incomings for United, and we looked at three signings that would make it a dream end to the transfer window for Selles and United.

Josh Brownhill, Unattached

Despite selling Souza to Wolfsburg, Sheffield United are still fairly well-stocked in central midfield with Soumare, Ollie Arblaster, Sydie Peck and Tom Davies on their books.

However, the Blades were arguably missing a creative spark in the middle of the park last season, and there remains a lack of goals among their existing options this campaign.

So, there would be no better signing to solve that problem than former Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill.

Brownhill scored a stunning 18 goals and provided six assists in 42 Championship appearances to help the Clarets to automatic promotion last season, but he departed Turf Moor earlier this summer after turning down the club's offer of a new contract.

It has been reported that Brownhill is currently weighing up a contract offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab that would see him earn more than £100,000-a-week, but he is yet to accept the proposal amid strong interest from a host of English clubs.

And while United could not give him anywhere near that level of salary, they should consider putting a lucrative deal of their own on the table for the 29-year-old, who may well yet prefer to stay in English football rather than take his talents to the Middle East.

Jordan James, Rennes

Given that Brownhill has received an offer from Saudi Arabia, and he has also reportedly held talks with two Premier League clubs, it may be tough for Sheffield United to win the race for the former Burnley man.

With that in mind, the Blades may need to turn their attention to a perfect alternative in the form of Jordan James, who scored eight goals in 42 games for Birmingham City in the Championship in the 2023-24 season, before joining Rennes last summer for a fee of £4 million.

It has not quite worked out for James with the French outfit, and he looks set to be on the move once again this summer, with Wrexham and Ipswich Town both said to be interested in the 21-year-old, along with Italian side Parma.

As Wrexham and Ipswich both have vast financial resources, United may need to make a fairly substantial offer to land James' signature, but the Welsh international is a player with huge potential, and he would be well worth the investment.

Manuel Benson, Burnley

One thing that has become clear from Sheffield United's early games of the season is that they are lacking both depth and quality in the wide areas, so Selles should look to bring in at least one new winger before the transfer deadline.

Of course, with time running out in the window, it will be tough for the Blades to find the standard of winger they need, but Burnley's Manuel Benson could be a realistic option for the South Yorkshire outfit.

Benson joined the Clarets from Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2022, and he enjoyed a stunning debut season at Turf Moor as he scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 37 games to help Vincent Kompany's men to the Championship title, but he has struggled to replicate that form in the subsequent years.

The 28-year-old does not appear to be part of Burnley's plans in the Premier League this season, so he could be allowed to depart in the coming days.

And while it would be a gamble to sign a player who has not performed at a high level for over two years now, he could be an outstanding addition if Selles can get him back to his best.