Sheffield United are in with a serious shout of winning the Championship title just one season on from enduring a tough Premier League campaign which saw them finish bottom of the top-flight table.
The Blades have had some good results this season, including a 1-0 victory over fellow automatic promotion candidates Sunderland in November and a 1-0 win over fierce cross-city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
In December, the American consortium COH Sports, led by businessmen Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, sealed their acquisition of the club just days before the January transfer window, providing even more reason for confidence at Bramall Lane.
Furthermore, Chris Wilder’s side rebounded from a festive slump that includes losses to Burnley and Sunderland, as well as a stalemate with West Bromwich Albion, by overcoming play-off contenders Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
In the midst of the Blades’ automatic promotion drive, fans at Bramall Lane will be enthused about the prospect of their club adding to its roster during the current transfer window.
However, while Wilder’s team is doing so well in the Championship, some of their top players may have drawn the attention of potential suitors in the January transfer window.
Football League World examines two nightmarish scenarios the Blades may face throughout the transfer window:
Gus Hamer exit
The Blades signed midfield ace Gus Hamer before of last season’s Premier League campaign, and despite his team’s 20th-place finish, the Dutchman contributed 10 goals.
| Gus Hamer 2023/24 Premier League stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 36 |
| Starts | 34 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 6 |
Despite being placed out wide in the midst of excellent playmaker Callum O’Hare, the former Coventry City player has once again been a major threat in the final third for Wilder’s side this season.
Last summer, promotion rivals Leeds United made a £13 million deal for the 27-year-old, but the Blades refused to trade him to a fellow second-tier title challenger.
Meanwhile, Alan Nixon stated last summer that Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers were also interested in signing Hamer after United’s relegation to the Championship.
Hamer’s contract with the Blades runs until 2027, so Wilder and co will be in no hurry to sell him, but the midfielder himself may be enticed by the idea of returning to the Premier League if Premier League interest in his talents resurfaces this month.
Anel Ahmedhodzic departure
Anel Ahmedhodzic, a centre-back for the Blades, impressed in the first flight last season despite the South Yorkshire club’s disastrous record.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international was also an important part of the United team, which achieved promotion from the Championship to the Premier League after a successful 2022/23 season.
Ahmedhodzic has once again established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the second tier this season, and he is a significant reason why Wilder has one of the division’s stingiest defences.
Football Insider revealed that Wolves, along with Blades teammate Hamer, had set their sights on the 25-year-old, who had performed admirably in the Premier League.
While Ahmedhodzic may be eager to add another promotion to his already remarkable resume, he is unlikely to turn down top-tier interest in his services if it arises again this month.
Furthermore, his contract with Bramall Lane expires in 18 months, so the Blades may be more ready to sell the defender than Hamer.
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