Sheffield United are looking to bolster their backline this summer after seeing a number of key players leave the club and have been keeping tabs on the free-agent market, according to reports.
The Blades have endured a mass exodus of players so far in this transfer window, particularly in defence as captain John Egan left the club as a free agent after six years in South Yorkshire. Furthermore, manager Chris Wilder has also lost long-time defender Chris Basham as well as fullbacks George Baldock and Max Lowe.
Last season, Sheffield United picked up the third-lowest points total in the Premier League as Wilder’s side were relegated from the top-flight in dismal fashion, having accumulated merely 16 points from 38 matches. One of the main factors behind the team’s humiliating condemnation to the second tier was their woeful defensive record. The Blades conceded a competition-record 104 goals which comes to 2.74 goals against per game.
Wilder is keen to strengthen his backline ahead of their opening fixture of the campaign against Preston North End in just over three weeks, but so far, only the arrivals of Sam McCallum and Jamie Shackleton have added depth to the heart of the side’s defence.
Nevertheless, TEAMtalk have released a report, claiming that Wilder is looking to bring former Newcastle United centre-half Paul Dummett to Bramall Lane this summer after the Welshman’s contract at St. James’ Park expired at the beginning of the month.
The five-cap Wales international had been with the Magpies for 14 years before eventually leaving. He has a wealth of experience in the Premier League and the Championship which is exactly what Wilder is looking for right now. Additionally, Dummett has a £760,000 market value, as per Transfermarkt, but would be brought to the club on a free.
Writer’s View
This would not be a signing that would get Sheffield United fans up off their feet, nor would it make the rest of the league stand up and take notice. However, it would be a decent acquisition and is risk-free given the club would only be forced to pay his wages.
Dummett is 32 in September, meaning the Blades only get one or two seasons out of him, but he would add a lot of much-needed experience to the squad which is something that the club lacks with the departures of Basham and Egan.
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