Sheffield United have been quiet in the transfer market this summer, and EFL Analysis can reveal that the Blades are not making use of prior parachute payments.
Sheffield United, under by new manager Ruben Selles, will attempt to improve on last season’s success in Chris Wilder’s final season in charge.
Sunderland defeated Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final in May, and since then, Blades fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s summer transfer market activities.
The Blades have sold several key players this summer, including Vini Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic, and Kieffer Moore, while spending only £1.9 million on permanent deals thus far.
With the season quickly coming, EFL Analysis can reveal how Sheffield United are squandering a £200 million potential.
Sheffield United are ‘wasting’ a £200 million transfer window opportunity
Sheffield United received Championship parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League in the 2023/24 season.
COH Sports completed their ownership of Sheffield United in December 2024, and the club is presently in its first summer transfer window at Bramall Lane.
Given that the Blades have only recruited Mihail Polendakov and Ehji Ukaki on permanent contracts this summer, plus loans for Djibril Soumare, Louie Barry, and Tyler Bindon, fans at Bramall Lane have grown dissatisfied with the club’s minimal spending this summer.
Adam Williams, EFL Analysis’ Chief Football Finance specialist, has thrown some light on why Sheffield United fans have every reason to be “frustrated” by the club’s lack of expenditure this summer.
Williams explained: “2025-26 is Sheffield United’s final season with parachute payments, so I can see why fans are disappointed that it’s been a pretty quiet window thus far, especially given that the new owners have arrived and this is their first summer at the club.
“They generated a profit in 2023-24, and despite having to re-adjust financially to life in the Championship last season, they made significant gains on player sales to offset the cost of relegation. Thus, FFP will not be an issue.
“Yes, they will still have a large wage expenditure as a result of being in the Premier League. And, certainly, it’s difficult to determine exactly where they stand financially without access to their accounts from 2024-25. However, on paper, it is difficult to understand why the new owners aren’t investing more.
“On paper, it appears that they are wasting the benefit that parachute payments provide. We can fight about how misleading they are to the division, but you must use them while you have them, from a selfish standpoint.”
Why are Sheffield United silent during the summer transfer window?
“Perhaps the AI model they’re using to scout players indicates that there isn’t value in the market right now. Of course, missing out on promotion last season was a setback, but they will have budgeted for it.
“The Wilder compensation won’t have shifted the dial significantly. They have also received the loan agreement that they recently renewed with Macquarie. This is being used to pay for running costs, wages, and other expenses. This is a renewal of a previous agreement.
“Perhaps the owners are still dealing with the costs of the takeover and, in the meantime, want the club to look well financially. “There are many moving factors at Sheffield United. “The next set of accounts will be extremely interesting.”
Sheffield United’s Ruben Selles will struggle without new signings
Sheffield United are struggling in the summer transfer window, while their promotion opponents are strengthening significantly.
Sheffield United are title candidates according to OPTA’s supercomputer projects, but without more new faces before the deadline, Selles will have a virtually insurmountable task.
Veteran striker Kieffer Moore recently joined Wrexham, and coveted central defender Anel Ahmedhodzic signed for Feyenoord, leaving Selles with two huge holes in his roster.
Goals win games, and defenders keep you from losing games in football, and the Blades’ promotion aspirations will be jeopardized if they do not adequately replace Moore and Ahmedhodzic.
According to Sheffield United analyst and reporter Alan Biggs, the Blades still have “serious work to do” in the market before September 1.
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