There are still plenty of crucial matches left in the Championship, but with each passing week, Sheffield United’s chances of securing a Premier League spot look increasingly strong.
Currently, they are in a tight battle with Burnley and Leeds United for the two automatic promotion places. However, if they fall short, they remain strong contenders to reach the top flight through the play-offs.
The Blades are well aware of the challenges that come with Premier League football if recruitment isn’t handled properly, having finished 20th last season.
Here, Football League World examines what an ideal transfer window could look like for Sheffield United should they secure an immediate return to England’s top division.
Potential Signings
Borja Sainz
Borja Sainz has been one of the standout performers in the Championship this season, competing with the league’s top strikers in goal contributions despite playing from the left flank.
However, Norwich City’s overall performances have failed to match his individual brilliance, leaving them stuck in mid-table with little hope of a play-off push. Given this, many fans expect Sainz to move on this summer. Having already proven himself in the second tier, a Premier League move seems like the logical next step.
If Sheffield United can offer him top-flight football, Sainz may see it as a great opportunity to establish himself as a regular starter, especially with Ben Brereton Diaz only at the club on loan. While Brereton Diaz has primarily featured on the right, Gus Hamer has been forced to play out of position on the left to accommodate Callum O’Hare in the No. 10 role.
United have the option to sign Brereton Diaz permanently in the summer, but given his past struggles in the Premier League, they may hesitate. That’s where Sainz could come in. While he may attract interest from bigger clubs, a Premier League move to Sheffield United could be an enticing prospect for the Spaniard.
Taiwo Awoniyi
One of the biggest concerns for Sheffield United this season has been the lack of a reliable goalscorer to lead the line. That’s where Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi could be the perfect solution—assuming United secure promotion.
With Tyrese Campbell’s history of injury struggles, Kieffer Moore’s age and fitness concerns, and Tom Cannon’s lack of top-flight experience, the need for a proven striker is clear.
Awoniyi has shown he can deliver in the Premier League during his time with Forest, but this season, he has made just two league starts as the club has evolved into a top-four contender, with Chris Wood leading the attack.
At 27, Awoniyi will want more regular football, and with Forest likely looking to upgrade their squad, he could be available at the right price. Although signing him wouldn’t come cheap, Sheffield United may be willing to allocate a significant portion of their budget to secure a striker who could be key to their survival.
For Awoniyi, this move would allow him to stay in the Premier League, while Sheffield United would benefit from having a physical, hard-working forward with a proven track record—including a double-digit goal season in England’s top tier.
Potential Departure
Rhys Norrington-Davies
Regardless of which division Sheffield United play in next season, it seems increasingly likely that Rhys Norrington-Davies will be on his way out.
The Welsh left-back has started just two matches this season despite being available for selection. With competition from players like Harrison Burrows and Sam McCallum, his path to regular minutes at Bramall Lane appears limited.
Norrington-Davies remains a talented and valuable asset, but his prospects for game time won’t improve if Sheffield United secure promotion. A move could benefit both the club financially and the player’s career, even though he signed a new contract last summer. At this stage, finding regular playing time will be his priority, and that seems unlikely to happen at his current club.
