⚔️ The Shoreham Journal - who could join and leave Sheffield United this summer

Forget Wembley, today's edition is all about the summer transfer window 🗞️

Hello and welcome to The Shoreham Journal, a free newsletter all about Sheffield United Football Club. In today’s edition, we look towards next season rather than focus on Saturday’s play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

Dunne deal? 👀

Jimmy Dunne is set to become a free agent this summer (Getty Images)

The Shoreham Journal says…

So, now we know.

Sheffield United will be playing Championship football again next season after losing 2-1 to Sunderland in the play-off final. United’s 100-year wait for a Wembley win continues, while their winless play-off record remains intact.

Rather than dwell on that controversial result (read this story by The Star for more info on that controversy!), looking towards next season and this summer’s transfer window is a much better use of time. And one area where United must strengthen is at centre-back.

Chris Wilder started the season with Harry Souttar partnering Anel Ahmedhodžić at the heart of defence. The partnership worked perfectly until Souttar suffered a season-ending Achilles’ injury against Burnley on Boxing Day, leading to Jack Robinson’s return to the starting XI.

Rob Holding arrived on loan from Crystal Palace in January to support Ahmedhodžić and Robinson, but Wilder would ideally want at least four promotion-quality centre-backs at his disposal next season after depending on just three this time around.

Ahmedhodžić remains under contract for another season - agreeing a new deal with him is a must - while Robinson is expected to agree new terms at Bramall Lane, with his current deal expiring next month.

Re-signing Souttar from Leicester, either on loan or permanently, is an option, but his return will depend on his recovery from injury. It can take up to, or even more than, 12 months to get over Achilles surgery.

As reported by The Star, Holding has impressed Wilder and his staff during his loan spell and could yet stay at Bramall Lane. But even if three of Ahmedhodžić, Holding, Robinson and Souttar are part of Wilder’s squad next season, and that’s a big if, United still need more depth at the back.

As such, the Blades are set to look elsewhere. One name that’s doing the rounds again is Jimmy Dunne, the QPR defender who is expected to become a free agent this summer when his current deal expires.

Dunne, 27, has become one of the most sought-after players in the division after getting four Championship seasons under his belt in London. He was recently named as QPR’s Player of the Year and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland earlier in 2025.

The Blades were after Dunne in January, but they couldn’t get the deal done (no pun intended) and settled for Holding. According to transfer journalist Alan Nixon, United will swoop for the defender again shortly.

Whether Wilder can get the deal over the line is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure: strengthening the heart of the defence is vital.

If you’d like to give your thoughts on the matter, please write to me using this form 🧑‍💻

---

Who could leave? 🔜

There was a huge overhaul of players last summer, with more than a dozen senior stars shown the door and several newcomers welcomed.

So, we shouldn’t expect the same upheaval this time around. United’s squad is young and hungry, with Michael Cooper, Sam McCallum, Ollie Arblaster, Callum O’Hare, Harrison Burrows, Jamie Shackleton, Tom Davies, Tyrese Campbell, Tom Cannon, Andre Brooks, Femi Seriki and Sydie Peck all expected to remain part of the squad next summer.

If United are to sell anyone this summer, Gus Hamer, the reigning Championship Player of the Season, seems the most likely. The 27-year-old still has two years left on his contract, and the Blades should be able to command a hefty transfer fee after his stellar season.

According to talkSPORT, United are resigned to losing Hamer. The Blades paid a reported £15 million for him when he arrived from Coventry in August 2023, and his value has only increased since then. A bid of £30 million could be enough to tempt United, who are still rebuilding their squad after relegation a year ago.

Teams will be after Gus Hamer this summer (Getty Images)

Saying that, it would be fabulous to see Hamer play in red and white again next season. Let’s hope he stays in Sheffield!

As touched upon earlier, losing Ahmedhodžić is also a possibility due to his contract, while Vini Souza could also be in demand. Even if all three of those players leave, United are a club on the up with ambitious owners.

More money is expected to be pumped into the squad this summer, and the odd sale - as shown by William Osula’s reported £15 million switch to Newcastle this time last year - will only boost that transfer kitty.

Losing the play-off final was painful. But another season of Championship football, and another year for Wilder to build his squad, may just be the right thing for the Blades.

---

In other news 🗞️

📅 United will discover their Championship fixtures for the 2025-26 season on Thursday, June 26. They will be released at 12pm local time.

🏆 The Blades will also find out their opponent for the first round of the Carabao Cup on June 26. The draw for that tournament will take place at 4:30pm, live on Sky Sports.

⚽️ United’s first league game of the new season will take place on Saturday, August 9, unless the match is brought forward or pushed back for the telly. Let’s face it, that will probably happen…

💥 United will have some big games to look forward to next season, with Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Leicester, Birmingham City and Wrexham among those competing in the Championship.

✍️ Have you got questions, opinions or feedback to give? Write to me using this form 👨‍💻

👀 United are one of 26 clubs chasing Kwame Poku, according to GIVEMESPORT. The 23-year-old winger is set to leave Peterborough as a free agent this summer after four stellar seasons at London Road.

🔥 Poku, who scored 12 goals and produced eight assists this term, is a two-time EFL Trophy winner and Peterborough’s reigning Players’ Player of the Season. The Croydon-born star also won a senior cap for Ghana in 2021.

👋 Gary Madine is a free agent after leaving non-league side Hartlepool. The 34-year-old striker, who won promotion with both United and Wednesday, recently played in Chris Basham’s testimonial at Bramall Lane.

😳 Ex-United winger Oliver Burke has signed for Union Berlin, the 11th club of his career. The 28-year-old played for the Blades between 2020 and 2022 but struggled to make an impact, scoring just once in 36 games. Burke’s previous clubs are Nottingham Forest, Bradford, RB Leipzig, West Brom, Celtic, Alaves, Millwall, Werder Bremen, Birmingham and United.