Sheffield United transfer for striker scuppered by Bramall Lane takeover situation | OneFootball

The Blades failed to do a second piece of business with Peterborough in the last transfer window, reports have revealed.

Sheffield United had agreed a deal for Peterborough United forward Ricky-Jade Jones in the summer, but the delays with the club's takeover caused the deal to fall through, it has been revealed.

The Blades' summer recruitment, and what it was going to look like, was a big worry for many associated with the red side of the Steel City going into the summer.

Loan deals and free agent signings were expected to make up much of their between-season activity, with little room for transfer expenditure.

While that did turn out to be the case on the loans and free agents front, money was found in order to pay transfer fees for a few players that they desperately wanted.

One of the biggest triumphs of the summer window for United was that they kept their top players. Ollie Arblaster and Gus Hamer both attracted Premier League interest, but Bramall Lane is where they remain.

It turned out to be a very positive summer for the club, despite the initial concerns. However, the delays over the proposed American takeover of the club did put a bit of a dampener on things, and it turns out that the failure to get the process completed in good time has had some knock-on effects in the transfer market.

Agreed Ricky-Jade Jones deal falls through for Sheffield United

The Star have reported that the Blades and Peterborough had agreed a deal for versatile forward Jones to join the Championship side this summer, but the move was dependent on United's takeover happening.

A deadline was set for when they had to complete the deal by, but the Blades weren't able to get things together in time for them to complete the move, and the 22-year-old remained with Peterborough instead.

Peterborough's chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, is a notoriously hard bargainer. Jones has scored five league goals so far this season, and his price tag is now expected to be increased in January despite his contract situation, if the Blades want to come back and try and do a deal then.

The forward is set to leave the Weston Homes Stadium in the winter window as his contract expires at the end of this season, and Peterborough tend to cash in on their top players that are approaching the end of their deals, rather than risking losing them for nothing.

The same will go for Jade-Jones' teammate, and League One's current top scorer, Kwame Poku, who is wanted by a whole host of clubs, including Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Chris Wilder's side were able to sign one of Posh's players in the last transfer window, with captain Harrison Burrows leaving the third tier team to move to South Yorkshire in an initial £3 million deal, as per the Peterborough Telegraph.

£10 million in total.

He said that such add-ons include a seven-figure fee to be paid to Posh if the Blades win promotion this season, which they are currently on pace to do.

Sheffield United takeover situation needs to be resolved ASAP with January window looming

The Star added in their report that the Blades' winter spending will be dependent on whether the £105 million deal that would see Prince Abdullah sell the club to an American consortium, led by Steve Rosen, gets done.

In an arguably weakened Championship compared to last season, albeit a much tighter pack, this could be a good chance for United to make an unexpectedly quick return to the English top flight.

They are likely to try and address the forward areas of the pitch, as their defence is one of, if not, the best in the division, while their attack isn't one that is blazing any trails.

But, for any major improvements to be made to the team, like a potential move for Jones, the money has to be there to be able to do it, especially with the usual price hikes that come in January, and it probably won't be if the takeover is not completed by then.