When Leeds United suffered defeat to Southampton in the play-off final, it saw four key players sold to Premier League and Ligue 1 clubs and now, Sheffield United are in the same boat.
Archie Gray has become a Europa League winner since his move to Tottenham, which saw Leeds rake in £40m. Georginio Rutter cost the same, after Brighton initially had £29m and £35m bids turned down.
Crysencio Summerville cost West Ham an initial £25m, but that could rise to £34m if £9m in add-ons are met. Glen Kamara’s move to Rennes has flopped, with Kamara going on loan to Saudi side Al-Shabab.
Leeds were forced to cash in and lose some of their best players to remain afloat and it will now be the same for Wilder and Sheffield United – with Leeds likely to be lurking ahead of the summer window.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesChris Wilder discusses future of Sheffield United’s star players
Not many saw Sheffield United losing to Sunderland and certainly not, when Tyrese Campbell opened the scoring. Late goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tom Watson secured a 2-1 win for Sunderland at Wembley.
It means the likes of Michael Cooper, Gustavo Hamer, Rhian Brewster, Vini Souza and plenty of other star players in red and white could now look for a move. Wilder talked summer exits with the Sheffield Star.
“As you can imagine, I’ve not thought about futures – personally, or from a player point of view – being an hour and a half after an incredibly low point of everybody’s careers, really,” Wilder said after the defeat.
“The players will be incredibly hurting, the supporters will be, the coaching staff will be. But it is what it is, and we’re going to have to deal with it,” Wilder continued, ahead of what will now be a difficult summer.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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Which Sheffield United players could Leeds United now consider?
The obvious one is Hamer. Leeds made a £13m bid for Hamer last summer, which was rejected. Sheffield United then tried to claim Leeds had included Joel Piroe in a bid, but it was simply to unsettle the striker.
Leeds still need a better no.10 than Brenden Aaronson and the Championship Player of the Season will fit the bill at Elland Road. Elsewhere, Leeds also need a goalkeeper and Cooper has been absolutely superb.
Junior Firpo is set to leave and Harrison Burrows was picked ahead of him in the Championship Team of the Season, while Souza might be the midfield toughness Leeds require in the Premier League next term.