Sheffield United are embarking on a huge summer after they were beaten in the Championship play-off final in May.
Sunderland’s Tommy Watson stunned the Blades with a 95th-minute winner at Wembley, sending the Black Cats to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Chris Wilder ultimately lost his job at Sheffield United, with Ruben Selles taking charge at Bramall Lane last month.
The aim for next season will be to avoid the play-offs completely, and finishing in the top two is the target for the South Yorkshire side.
With this, a busy summer of transfers can be expected, but in the meantime, EFL Analysis revisits the club’s most expensive-ever signings.
The top five most expensive Sheffield United signings5 – Oli McBurnie
Joining Sheffield United in the 2019/20 season from Swansea for a fee reported around £17m (rising to £20m), Scottish striker Oli McBurnie was expected to lead the line for the Blades.
Across all competitions during his time at Sheffield United, he registered 29 goals and 9 assists in 159 appearances.
His debut Premier League season saw him contribute majorly to their ninth-place finish, although his following seasons were plagued by injuries and a dip in form, limiting his consistent impact on the scoresheet.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images4 – Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale arrived at Sheffield United in the 2020/21 season from Bournemouth for £18.5m, returning to his former club with high expectations to claim the goalkeeping position.
In his sole season at Sheffield United, he made 46 appearances across all competitions, keeping 8 clean sheets.
Despite their struggles that ended in relegation, Ramsdale consistently showcased a high level of performance, making critical saves and commanding his area effectively.
His impressive form eventually earned him a high-profile move to Arsenal the following season.
3 – Cameron Archer
Cameron Archer joined Sheffield United in the 2023/24 season from Aston Villa for a fee reported to be around £18m, with hopes he could deliver the much-needed attacking impetus for the newly promoted side.
During his time at Bramall Lane, he contributed 4 goals and 1 assist in 32 appearances across all competitions. In a challenging Premier League season where the team finished bottom, Archer showed flashes of his potential.
While his goal tally wasn’t prolific, his pace often provided an outlet for the team, and his goals were often vital in the context of their struggles. His impact was notable given the difficult circumstances the team faced.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images2 – Sander Berge
Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge became Sheffield United’s record signing in the 2019/20 season, arriving from KRC Genk for a reported £22m.
He quickly became a key figure in the Blades’ midfield and across all competitions during his time at the club; he contributed 15 goals and 12 assists in 109 appearances.
Berge was known for his imposing physical presence, and his consistent performances made him a hit with the fans.
1 – Rhian Brewster
Rhian Brewster’s arrival at Sheffield United in the 2020/21 season from Liverpool for a club-record fee reported around £23.5m was met with some excitement from the Blades fans.
As a highly-rated young striker, he was anticipated to provide the goals necessary for their Premier League survival. However, his tenure at Bramall Lane was unfortunately riddled with injuries.
He managed just 5 goals and 3 assists in 83 appearances across all competitions during his time at the club.