{"id":1161142,"date":"2026-08-21T12:02:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T12:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1161142\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T12:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T12:02:41","slug":"3-free-agents-sheffield-united-should-sign-amid-change-in-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1161142\/","title":{"rendered":"3 free agents Sheffield United should sign amid change in approach"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a> are expected to turn to free agents and loans this summer, as per a report by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.co.uk\/sport\/football\/sheffield-united\/sheffield-united-owners-make-transfer-approach-u-turn-as-harry-souttar-saga-takes-fresh-twist-8932522\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">The Star<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a>\u2019s transfer plans are set to shift <a href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/2026\/08\/18\/sheffield-united-ownership-latest-deduction-threat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">amid off-field issues<\/a>. SUFC have had to <a href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/2026\/08\/20\/sheffield-united-end-harry-souttar-transfer-pursuit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">end their pursuit<\/a> of <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/leicester-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Leicester City<\/a> centre-back Harry Souttar, who has been a long-term target. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/esmenmFFucB3.webp\" alt=\"SmartFrame Image\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Blades have delved into the market so far to sign winger Romelle Donovan on loan from Brentford and right-back Matt Doherty on a free transfer after his deal at <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"http:\/\/https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/championship\/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Wolves<\/a> ended. They have also cut ties with key players Andre Brooks and Gustavo Hamer, who have been sold to <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/norwich-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Norwich City<\/a> and <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/coventry-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Coventry City<\/a> respectively. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chris Wilder\u2019s squad is lacking depth in certain positions, especially in the heart of defence, and they still need to bring in more new faces if they are to be competitive this season. They will be aiming to get into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/championship\/table\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Championship play-offs<\/a> if possible. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The South Yorkshire outfit sacked Wilder 12 months ago after their play-off final defeat to <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sunderland\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sunderland<\/a> at Wembley and subsequently brought in Ruben Selles as his replacement. However, the ex-<a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/reading\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Reading<\/a> and <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/hull-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hull City<\/a> man seriously struggled to make an impact and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sufc.co.uk\/news\/2025\/september\/15\/welcome-back-chris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Wilder some came back<\/a> to steady the ship. Here is a look at three free agents <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a> should sign\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Axel Tuanzebe<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defender has been <a href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/2026\/08\/20\/wrexham-target-axel-tuanzebe-burnley-exit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">linked with a move<\/a> to <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/wrexham\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Wrexham<\/a> following his departure from <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/burnley\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Burnley<\/a> but should now be on <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a>\u2019s radar. SUFC need more competition in their backline for Japhet Tanganga and Mark McGuinness. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuanzebe, 28, will be weighing up his options as a free agent at this moment in time. He has played in the Premier League before for the likes of Manchester United and <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/ipswich-town\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ipswich Town<\/a>, as well as the Clarets in the last campaign. <\/p>\n<p>Axel Tuanzebe stats in the Premier League so far in his career<\/p>\n<p>Will Smallbone<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He <a href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/2026\/08\/17\/stoke-city-burnley-join-west-brom-will-smallbone-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">has been eyed<\/a> by the likes of <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/stoke-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Stoke City<\/a>, <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/burnley\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Burnley<\/a> and <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/west-bromwich-albion\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">West Brom<\/a> since his exit from <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/southampton\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Southampton<\/a>. He would be ideal for <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a> and would boost SUFC\u2019s midfield department if they managed to snap him up. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/vqLe6ZXyYwvJ.webp\" alt=\"SmartFrame Image\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smallbone is a quality player at second tier level and would compete with players like Oli Arblaster, Sydie Peck and Joe Rothwell for a place in the Blades\u2019 starting XI. He spent last term out on loan from the Saints at <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/millwall\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Millwall<\/a> and needs to find himself a new home sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n<p>Joe Aribo<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last but not least, Aribo needs to get his career back on track after cutting ties with <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/leicester-city\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Leicester City<\/a> and <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/sheffield-united\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sheffield United<\/a> could take a gamble on him. SUFC need bodies and he is someone who has a point to prove. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was highly-rated during his earlier spells at <a class=\"lar-automated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/the72.co.uk\/category\/charlton-athletic\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Charlton Athletic<\/a> and Rangers. The 30-year-old struggled with the Foxes though and could do with receiving a lifeline from somewhere now. <\/p>\n<p class=\"the72-pref-src-title\">Enjoyed that? Add us to your Google sources<\/p>\n<p class=\"the72-pref-src-sub\">See more EFL transfer news and match reaction from The72, first, in Google Search.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a class=\"the72-pref-src-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=the72.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Add us on Google<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sheffield United are expected to turn to free agents and loans this summer, as per a report by&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1161143,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[8817],"tags":[748,9030,393,4884,1620,4239,11840,108181,108182,108183,108184,16,15],"class_list":["post-1161142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sheffield","tag-britain","tag-championship","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-sheffield","tag-sheffield-united","tag-sheffield-united-fc","tag-sheffield-united-fc-news","tag-sheffield-united-news","tag-sufc","tag-sufc-news","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/117133402943536127","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1161142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1161142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1161142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1161143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1161142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1161142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1161142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}