Borja Sainz signs: The dream Sheffield United summer 2025 transfer window | OneFootball

It will likely be an important summer for the Blades no matter what division they are in - the hopes are it will be a Premier League return though

There are still plenty of important games left to play in the Championship, but with each week it looks increasingly likely that Sheffield United will bag a place in the Premier League.

They’re currently battling it out with Burnley and Leeds United for the two automatic spots, but look strong competitors to either do it via that way, or instead have to go through the play-offs.

The Blades know only too well how difficult the top tier is if you don’t get your recruitment right, having finished 20th last season.

Here, Football League World takes had a look at what their dream transfer window would look like, should they make it back to the top flight of English football at the first time of asking.

IN: Borja Sainz

Borja Sainz has been one of the best players in the Championship this season, mixing it with the top strikers in the league in terms of goals despite operating from the left flank.

However, the Canaries' performances as a whole this campaign have not matched his talents, and they currently reside in mid-table with little hope of moving into the play-off places.

It is for that reason that many supporters expect him to depart this season, and having proven himself in the second tier, it appears that a promotion to the Premier League will be on the cards.

If the club can offer him Premier League football, then Sainz might like his odds of becoming a regular starter for the Blades in that league, especially with Ben Brereton Diaz currently only on loan with the club, who has often been operating out wide - although that is on the right-hand side, with Gus Hamer out of position this season on the left to accomodate for Callum O'Hare in the 10.

There is an option for United to make Brereton Diaz’s switch permanent in the summer, but they may think twice given the 25-year-old’s previous struggles at that level. That is where Sainz comes into the equation - he may have loftier clubs eyeing him up this summer, but the Spaniard would surely jump at the chance to sign for the Blades if they're a Premier League club.

IN: Taiwo Awoniyi

One thing that the Blades have been lacking this season is an out-and-out goalscorer to lead their line, an issue a player like Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi could fix, presuming the club do make their way to the Premier League.

With Tyrese Campbell not exactly reliable when it comes to fitness over the years, Kieffer Moore also having his injury issues and age not on his side, and also Tom Cannon not being proven in the top flight, it will strengthen the need for Chris Wilder to sign a striker.

Awoniyi has been a good top tier striker for Forest in previous seasons, but this year has just two Premier League starts to his name as the club have moved into the bracket of top four challengers, with Chris Wood taking all the glory.

At 27, the striker won’t want another year like this and, to maintain their current level, Forest will likely be looking for higher quality, making it likely he will be up for sale at the right price.

This would not be a cheap deal for the Blades, but given their striker struggles they will likely funnel a good proportion of their budget here to give themselves the best chance of survival.

It would give Awoniyi a chance to remain in the Premier League and would provide United with a physical, battling striker in their frontline with CV, which includes notching double figures in the division in one season.

OUT: Rhys Norrington-Davies

Regardless of the division the Blades find themselves in next term, it feels like a sale of Rhys Norrington-Davies could be on the way.

He’s made just two starts for the club this season, despite good availability on the whole, and has talent like Harrison Burrows and Sam McCallum for company in his position at left-back.

Norrington-Davies is a talented player and a very marketable asset, but his route to minutes at Bramall Lane appears difficult, and that won’t improve if they do earn promotion.

For both the club’s finances and the player’s career, a parting of the ways may be for the best, even if he did sign a new deal last summer - game-time will be of paramount importance to the Welshman, and he's going to be hard-pressed to find it at his current home