Sheffield United should look to sign 22-y/o in any Aston Villa, Oliver Arblaster deal: View | OneFootball

Sheffield United have endured a torrid season, with their relegation from the Premier League already confirmed.

One shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign, however, has been the emergence of youngster Oliver Arblaster in midfield.

The academy graduate has started in the Blades' last nine Premier League games after making his Premier League debut during their harrowing 6-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Arblaster has brought a calm head to United's midfield and whilst three points have alluded him thus far, he helped Chris Wilder's side as they picked up draws against Bournemouth, Fulham and Chelsea.

For a team who've won just 16 points all season, Arblaster's influence gave United a remnant of momentum, and whilst four consecutive losses have consigned the Blades to relegation, they can take hope from Arblaster's performances.

With United's fate sealed, Arblaster has become a target for Premier League clubs, with Aston Villa registering their interest in the 19-year-old.

Arblaster, who started the 2023-24 campaign on loan in League One with Port Vale, will command a fair fee, but if United want to make the most out of selling their prestigious young talent, they'd be wise to include striker Cameron Archer in any deal.

Archer has shown some bright moments since being with the Blades, but with a clause in last summer's deal obligating Villa to buy the young forward back in the event of a Blades relegation, coupled with Unai Emery having enough fire-power at his disposal, there may be a way for the 22-year-old to remain in South Yorkshire.

Oliver Arblaster has outshone many Sheffield United players in a short amount of time

Despite his tender age and relative inexperience, Arblaster has already earmarked himself as a leader within United's squad and has taken the armband in their last two games.

It speaks to the trust Wilder has in the youngster, that after only a handful of appearances, he has been handed the captaincy on multiple occasions.

A resilient character, he has bounced back from an unfortunate own goal away to Brentford to lead United through what remains of the season.

Where players tend to shirk responsibility, Arblaster has stood up and shown his ability to keep a cool head on and off the pitch.

Arblaster signed a new deal until 2028 in February, and the captaincy has likely been awarded to him as a show of appreciation, but also as a nod to his growing importance to the side, with the Blades looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League next season.

United will look to build their team around Arblaster next season, and it will be difficult to prize him away from his boyhood club. But the incentive of adding Archer's goals at Championship to the team could be too good of a deal to turn down, especially if there is a decent fee on the side too.

Cameron Archer could offer Sheffield United a lot at Championship level

Archer only joined Sheffield United last summer but is now set to return to Aston Villa in a rarely-seen type of transfer.

Signed for £18 million last summer from Villa, Archer's move included a clause that obligates Villa to re-sign the striker this summer should United drop to the Championship at the first time of asking - meaning he will soon return to Emery's squad once the season comes to a close.

Returning to Villa Park though, Archer will likely be third-choice once more behind Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, and another exit cannot be ruled out this summer.

Sheffield United, though, would surely be more than happy to keep Archer, who proved more-than a capable Championship striker on loan at Middlesbrough last season.

A deal therefore - if Villa really want to sign Arblaster - could surely be struck where United receive some cash and Archer in exchange for one of their academy graduates. No Blades fan of course wants to see one of their star youngsters depart so soon into their career, but if Champions League football is being offered then the club may not stand in his way if they get what they want.