Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest complication as Sheffield United yet to follow Burnley moves
Rounding up what Sheffield United’s Premier League rivals have done so far in the transfer window
Sheffield United’s wait for new signings may soon be coming to an end. Carl Shieber and Stephen Bettis are working on deals for Anis Slimane and Benie Traore.
Both are for permanent moves, with a fee around the £2m mark being suggested for Slimane, while a £5m price tag has been quoted for Traore. Other targets have also been identified as Paul Heckingbottom hopes for a transfer breakthrough soon.
But what about their Premier League rivals and those clubs expected to be in and around Sheffield United next season? Of the three promoted teams, Burnley have been the most active, while Luton have also dipped their toe into the transfer water, with United yet to follow their lead.
The Clarets have certainly made an early statement of intent. They have so far brought in four players. They have turned defender Jordan Beyer’s loan from Borussia Monchengladbach into a permanent, signing him on a four-year contract.
Promotion has also helped them turn Michael Obafemi’s January loan move from Swansea into a permanent, while West Brom defender Dara O’Shea has also joined in a £7m switch. Goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux has signed on a free from Leyton Orient and Turf Moor officials are also working on the signing of highly-rated Man City keeper James Trafford.
The 20-year-old is currently away with England under-21s but will join upon his return from the European Championships after Burnley agreed a £19m fee.
Luton Town have also strengthened, adding defender Mads Andersen from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee, while Chiedozie Ogbene has joined on a free transfer after his contract at Rotherham United expired.
Everton, who just avoided relegation on the final day of the season, are one of only two sides who finished in the bottom half yet to bring a new face through the door, although they have been linked again with interest in Iliman Ndiaye.
Nottingham Forest have been involved in a long-running transfer saga involving former Blades loanee Dean Henderson. The keeper is expected to leave Old Trafford for the City Ground, where he spent last season on loan, this summer.
However, Nottinghamshire Live are reporting the deal is being complicated by the fact that he is not being allowed out of Manchester United until Erik ten Hag has been able to address his goalkeeping department. David de Gea has left following the expiration of his contract and an offer for Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana has been rejected, meaning the wait for Henderson goes on.
Steve Cooper has already turned Chris Wood’s loan from Newcastle into a permanent move last month and snapped up young striker Manni Norkett after his release from Manchester United.
Bournemouth, who finished 15th last season, have made two impressive signings. They have also replaced manager Gary O’Neil with Spaniard Andoni Iraola.
Hamed Traore has made the move from Sassuolo to the Vitality Stadium for £20m, while Justin Kluivert has arrived from Roma in a deal reportedly for £10.25m.
West Ham avoided the drop by six points last season after pulling away towards the end, finishing the campaign in style with victory in the Europa Conference League final. Like United and Everton, they are yet to sign a senior player, but have been waiting to use the Declan Rice money on reinforcements.
They are competing with Liverpool for Dutch defender Perr Schuurs and are reportedly in talks with Juventus regarding the potential signing of Denis Zakaria.
Wolves have spent £9.5m on Boubacar Traore from Metz, while another side who could also be classed as divisional rivals Crystal Palace have snapped up Jefferson Lerma on a free.
