Sheffield United transfer latest: Anthony Patterson, Luke Ayling, Ollie Norwood and Ahmedhodzic update | OneFootball

Sheffield United are preparing for life back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Blades were only promoted to the top flight last season, but after a disastrous campaign, they have made an immediate return to the second tier.

United's relegation was confirmed at the end of April, and they broke an unwanted Premier League record as they became the first team to concede over 100 goals as they were beaten 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.

The Blades finish their season against Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane on Sunday, but with the club's fate having already been decided, work to rebuild the squad for next season is well underway.

As United prepare for what looks set to be an incredibly busy summer, we rounded up all the latest transfer news from the club.

Sunderland and Leeds United players on radar

According to journalist Alan Nixon, the Blades are plotting an ambitious move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

Patterson came through the Black Cats academy to establish himself as the club's number one, and he has earned a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship in recent years.

It was a disappointing season for Sunderland as they finished in mid-table, but despite his side's struggles, Patterson enjoyed another impressive campaign on an individual level, keeping 13 clean sheets in 46 appearances in all competitions.

Manager Chris Wilder is said to be keen to bring in a new first choice goalkeeper this summer with Wes Foderingham out of contract, while Ivo Grbic has failed to impress since his January arrival from Atletico Madrid, but it could be tough for them to win the race for Patterson.

United will reportedly offer £8 million for Patterson, but they face competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, while Celtic and Arsenal have previously been linked with the 24-year-old.

Rotherham United's Viktor Johansson is another goalkeeper on the Blades' radar, but they are said to have cooled their interest for now as they chase higher-profile targets.

Nixon also claims that United have "made their sales pitch" to out-of-contract Leeds United defender Luke Ayling.

Ayling will leave Elland Road when his contract expires this summer, and the Blades are keen to bring him to Bramall Lane, but they could be beaten to his signature by Middlesbrough.

The 32-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan at the Riverside Stadium, and after providing an impressive eight assists in 19 appearances, Boro would like to sign him permanently this summer.

Big Ollie Norwood update

Midfielder Ollie Norwood has been an integral part of the Blades' squad since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018.

However, it seems that Norwood's time at the club is coming to an end, with The Star reporting that the 33-year-old will be released this summer at the end of his contract.

Norwood has scored one goal and provided one assist in 30 appearances in all competitions this season, and he has worn the captain's armband on a number of occasions, so it is something of a surprise that he will not be offered an extension, but manager Chris Wilder has spoken of the need to be ruthless when making decisions on his squad.

"I don't enjoy it because there are some real difficult decisions and when I was a young manager I had to tell 18-year-old players that they no longer had a career in professional football. So I'm not heartless, but I am ruthless in my approach to it and it has to be right. There's no sentiment involved in it," Wilder told The Star.

"There's no: ‘He's done this and that for us in the past.’ These are really well-thought-out decisions that you don't always get right, we understand that. But a lot of discussion and thought goes into it from me and the coaches, in terms of who's going to be on the next journey and who will leave us with a shake of the hand and a thank you."

Four players up for sale

The Blades will need to sell players this summer in order to fund their rebuild, and Nixon reports that defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, midfielders Vinicius Souza and Anis Slimane and forward Benie Traore are all available for transfer.

Ahmedhodzic has scored two goals in 31 games this season, and despite being part of the worst defence in Premier League history, he has impressed with his performances on an individual level.

The 25-year-old was the subject of interest from Italian sides Napoli and Atalanta in January, and United were said to be willing to allow him to depart if their £20 million valuation was met, but he remained in South Yorkshire.

It remains to be seen whether United will be able to demand a similar fee this summer following relegation, but Ahmedhodzic has been keen to leave the club in previous windows, and his exit will be sanctioned this summer.

Souza joined the Blades from Lommel in August, and he has been a key player this campaign, scoring one goal in 37 appearances in all competitions, but despite being just one year into a four-year contract, he looks set to depart.

Slimane and Traore were also summer signings, but both have failed to establish themselves in the team, with the latter spending the second half of the season on loan at Nantes, and it is no surprise that United are looking to sell the pair.

Ahmedhodzic, Souza, Slimane and Traore may not be the only players heading out of the exit door this summer, and the Blades will reportedly sell midfielder Gustavo Hamer if they are able to recoup the £15 million they paid Coventry City for him in August, while .