Chris Wilder issues exciting Sheffield United transfer update | OneFootball

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder issues a transfer update

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has admitted that he believes the Blades are making good progress in the transfer market this January, amid the club's bid for an immediate Premier League return.

TalkSport football correspondent Alex Crook revealed via X on Sunday afternoon that Premier League Southampton and the Blades had verbally agreed a loan deal for Ben Brereton Diaz to return to Bramall Lane this month.

Meanwhile, Football Insider reported on Tuesday that Wilder's men were in advanced talks with Leicester City regarding a deal for midfielder Hamza Choudhury.

The Blades faithful will also be keen to see their club source a replacement for star defender Harry Souttar, after the loanee had to return to parent club Leicester in the wake of a season-ending injury.

Wilder provides Sheffield United transfer update

The 57-year-old told the Sheffield Star: "There's been good progress.

"We're not a million miles off.

"We'd like to think we will have bodies in for the Norwich game, and before, because it's not turn up at 10 for an 11 o'clock kick-off and sign the forms!

"There might be a medical involved and hopefully some preparation for that game for the boys coming in.

"Of course, we want them as early as possible, ideally for the week leading up to the Norwich game.

"There's a lot of things have to happen in terms of getting these boys over the line."

When the Star asked Wilder if any prospective deals had reached the medical stage yet, Wilder revealed: "Not really, but ongoing talks and progression is key.

"All the players we've identified want to come here, which is great, and we're their preferred choice.

"We have got lists if we don't succeed in getting them over the line.

"We've made contact with those players, then the tough part is the negotiations from club to club and agents being involved as well.

"Let's hope our hard work will be rewarded in terms of the week leading up to the Norwich game and certainly when the teamsheets get announced.

"Ben (Brereton Diaz) was an obvious one, not playing in the (Southampton) team and he was here last season.

"I have a connection with Hamza (Choudhury) from Watford and other players as well.

"Position specific is what we're going on.

"A replacement for Harry Souttar, someone on the top line and maybe some physicality and legs in the middle of the park."

Blades supporters could soon be pleased with takeover impact

US-based business consortium COH Sports completed their takeover of the Blades in late December, and the Bramall Lane faithful will be eager to see their club's new owners have a positive impact on the current transfer window.

The latest update from boss Wilder suggests that Blades fans will soon be delighted by the efforts of American businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, who lead the COH Sports group.

Both Brereton Diaz and Choudhury are high-quality Championship players, who will undoubtedly boost the South Yorkshire outfit's automatic promotion credentials amid strong competition from Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland.

Furthermore, if United can also find a suitable Souttar replacement, fans may even fancy their side's chances of lifting the Championship title just one year on from suffering relegation from the Premier League.