Sheffield United may still wonder "What if?" had they not committed to 2016 transfer: View | OneFootball

Back in 2016, Sheffield United were in England's third tier, and had, for the last two years, been enjoying the delights of watching youngster Che Adams display his talents.

However, in the summer of 2016, the club sanctioned the sale of Adams to Birmingham City, in a move that would eventually see the striker become a £15m star.

He had been a good goalscorer for the Blades, popping up with the occasional strike, but now, with the power of hindsight, some Blades fans, as well as others around the club may be wondering: 'What could have happened if we had kept him?'

Adams' time at Bramall Lane

Adams, who had spent the majority of his youth career in non-league, was purchased from now-extinct Ilkeston FC for an undisclosed fee and was bought as part of a larger project to help propel Sheffield United back up into the second tier, with the Blades having spent a few seasons prior stuck in League One.

During his first campaign with the Yorkshire-based side, he wouldn't score a league goal but would end up being a helpful contributor in cup competitions.

He netted his first two goals for the Blades in their League Cup semi-final second leg against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute and helping the Blades to come back from two goals down. Despite these goals not meaning much in the end with Christian Eriksen netting a late winner for Spurs, it was definitely a sign of things to come.

He would contribute more that season too, scoring a goal in the Blades' crazy 5-5 draw with Swindon Town in the play-offs, but the team lost this tie overall, bowing out 7-6 on aggregate.

His first season showed big glimpses of his promise and he would be utilised more in the league throughout 2015/16. He would score his first league goals for the club early on in the season, netting a brace in the Blades' first win of the season over Chesterfield FC and from there would show that he was a rising star and one to watch.

He ended the season having formed a solid partnership with Billy Sharp upfront and with 12 goals in 41 appearances. His performances in that season had earned him a new three-year deal at the club too, but having shown his promise, there were clubs looming and one soon pounced.

Adams' move to Birmingham and his career since

Birmingham were the club that ended up purchasing Adams and it was for a hefty fee too.

Having signed that new deal at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, the Blades obviously wanted to hold onto their star, and while, amid transfer speculation, they were able to play him in their first league game of the new season, a big offer from Birmingham forced their hand and meant Adams was moving on.

The fee was believed to be around £2m and, at the time, looked to be a shrewd investment, and with time, that was proven right.

Adams spent three seasons with the Blues, where he would develop well and become a star at St Andrew's.

His first two seasons did not see a high return of goals – seven in 2016/17 and nine the following year – but it was in his third campaign for the Blues that he really blew up.

Across 48 games in the 2018/19 season, Adams scored a remarkable 22 goals, as well as laying on four assists in a Birmingham side that finished a disappointing 17th.

This tally of goals meant interest was high for Adams in the summer window following that season and Birmingham did well to turn such an impressive profit. Having spent the summer before rejecting six-figure sums from the likes of Fulham and Derby, Southampton then came in with a £15m offer that was too good to refuse, with Adams' 2019 stock being so high.

He joined the Saints with them having spent over five years in the Premier League, and having a striker selection filled with seasoned pros Shane Long and Danny Ings. Adams still managed to cement himself into the team though and would make 35 appearances, scoring four times, in his first season.

The following campaigns saw him slowly increase his goal tallies but would see Southampton slowly slide down the Premier League table and ultimately towards relegation from the top flight last year.

Could the future have been different for Adams and Sheffield United

Having seen where Adams' career has taken him, it is time to pose the question: 'What could have been?'

Following his departure, the Blades would go on to have a monumental season in League One spearheaded by Sharp's 30 goals. They finished with 100 points, having been guided to the title by boyhood Blade Chris Wilder.

The season after, they would surpass expectations of a relegation struggle and instead finish in 10th place, having chased the Championship play-offs all season long.

It would be fair to say at this point, the answer to: 'What could have been?' may be: 'It doesn't matter!' but there should be some thought.

Understandably, the Blades smashed through League One after Adams left, but if he had been under the tutelage of Wilder, and playing alongside Sharp, he could've become a goal machine himself.

United would famously reach the Premier League themselves and splashed the cash on Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster – moves they may not have had to make were Adams still in their ranks.

They crashed back down to the Championship after two seasons and, having bounced back up, have been relegated again in 2023/24.

With Adams in their ranks scoring goals could the Blades have established themselves as a top flight club? We will never know but you wouldn't blame fans for wondering 'what if'.