Sheffield United midfielders have been the subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer. Gustavo Hamer and Vinicius Souza have been linked with moves to the Premier League and European clubs however the most recent rumours have seen Oli Arblaster’s name associated with Brentford.
According to a report from Mike McGrath, Brentford, along with Southampton and Ipswich, are keen on signing the young midfielder this summer. That being said, no formal offers have been made by either club.
The 20-year-old boyhood Blade broke into Chris Wilder’s starting lineup towards the back end of last season. And while his presence in midfield seemed to improve United slightly, particularly freeing up Hamer to be more advanced, they were ultimately relegated. Since the start of the Championship campaign Arblaster has started the first two games alongside Vinicius Souza in a double pivot.
Several supporters believe the key to any chance of being promoted depends on how many of this quartet stays this season: Anel Ahmedhodzic, Souza, Arblaster, Hamer.
Arblaster is on a long-term contract with the Blades; his current deal expires in the summer of 2028, so there is absolutely no rush to sell him this summer.
United will look at the sale of Archie Gray from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur – Gray was sold for approximately £30 million who starred in a Leeds team which failed to get promoted last season. Given his similar age and importance to his team, surely Sheffield United value Arblaster at a similar price-tag.
The Blades will also realise that if the young English midfielder performs well this season then they’ll have several clubs sniffing around for him next summer, whether they gain promotion to the Premier League or not.
Former Sheffield United manager set for Preston North End role
In other news it looks like former United manager Paul Heckingbottom is set to take the dugout seat for Preston North End in the next coming days, as per the Lancashire Evening Post. Heckingbottom, who was originally brought to the club by Chris Wilder, initially served as the development team manager before he became the first team manager in the 2021/22 campaign, taking over from Slavisa Jokanovic.
Heckingbottom galvanised United after a slow start under the Serbian but they would ultimately fall short in a play-off semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest. The following season the former Barnsley manager led the Blades to automatic promotion as well as a FA Cup semi-final clash against Manchester City.
The 47-year-old was dismissed by the club in December 2023 after a terrible run of results and performances in the Premier League.
Transfer expert Alan Nixon has stated that Heckingbottom will be bringing Stuart McCall with him to Deepdale as his number two. McCall served as Heckingbottom’s assistant at Sheffield United but was released by the club upon the departure of Heckingbottom.
