According to Sky Sports, Sheffield United are looking to recruit a “excellent” forward who is about to become a free agency.
Blades weigh up Chris Wilder’s future
Before a ball was kicked in the 2024/25 season, the Blades were anticipated to be one of three teams promoted to the Premier League, despite suffering a points deduction. The Yorkshire side met those expectations to some extent, but the harsh reality is that the season will be viewed as a failure.
The Blades’ last-minute defeat to Sunderland in the play-off final means they will remain in the Championship, but it also raises doubts about Chris Wilder. Football Insider stated at the end of last week that United will decide whether to fire Wilder within the next week.
Club officials are claimed to be evaluating his position as manager, and the club’s new owners, the American-based consortium COH Sports, are considering letting Wilder go, despite the fact that his current contract runs until the summer of 2028.
Sheffield United keen on Emil Riis
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Wilder’s future at Bramall Lane, the club is aggressively looking for ways to improve the team for next season. According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Sheffield United are looking to capture Preston North End striker Emil Riis Jakobsen on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old’s contract at Deepdale is coming to an end, and it appears that he may be on the move this summer. Coventry City, led by Frank Lampard, are also interested in the Dane. According to Joseph, Riis Jakobsen wants to join a squad that aims to earn promotion to the Premier League, which both of these clubs will do.
Riis Jakobsen, who was once described as “excellent” by former Preston manager Ryan Lowe, has been at Deepdale since October 2020. During that period, the forward has been a consistent contributor in front of goal, scoring 12 times in 45 Championship games last season.
| Emil Riis Jakobsen’s Championship stats | |
|---|---|
| Apps | 172 |
| Goals | 41 |
| Assists | 11 |
That total has only been surpassed once since going to England, during the 2021/22 season, when he scored 16 goals. The Blades already have Kieffer Moore, Rhian Brewster, Tyrese Campbell, and Tom Cannon at the top, so there will be plenty of fight for a starting berth.
And the uncertainty surrounding Wilder’s future could jeopardize their pursuit of the forward, as Riis Jakobsen will want some assurances regarding playing time before deciding where to play next.
Leave a Reply