Sheffield United have had one eye on the summer for some weeks, after a late play-off surge became mathematically implausible.

The Blades have won just two of their previous ten games and are on track for their lowest league finish since being promoted to the Championship from League One in 2017.

Contract decisions have already been made for midfielders Tom Davies and Jairo Riedewald, with the latter poised to stay beyond the end of the season and the former set to leave the club.

With Premier League parachute payments running out at Bramall Lane this summer, Sheffield United will hold numerous contract talks over the next month, not only with those whose contracts expire this summer, but also with those who have a year left, as the club works to avoid losing certain stars at reduced prices.

Sheffield United plan to extend Adam Davies’ contract.

Backup goalkeeper Adam Davies’ contract expires at the end of the season, and according to the Sheffield Star, the Welshman will extend his stay at Bramall Lane this summer.

The 33-year-old has been with Sheffield United since January 2022, when he transferred from Stoke City. He’s been a reliable backup to Wes Fodderingham and now Michael Cooper.

Davies has played more this season than in the previous three years combined, thanks to Michael Cooper’s knee injury. He’s started the last 11 Championship games and has two clean sheets.

Chris Wilder’s defence has struggled this season, with only QPR, Leicester City, and Sheffield Wednesday conceding more goals than the Blades. As a result, there will be a strong emphasis on upgrading the backline in preparation for the next campaign.

But it appears that Sheffield United aren’t willing to be caught short in the goalkeeper situation, and are eager to have the six-time Welsh international on their books as a viable backup option.

Adam Davies’ contract decision will not effect Michael Cooper’s at Sheffield United.

Davies is set to return as deputy next season, as Cooper’s contract status will not mean the end of his stay with the club.

According to The Star, the former Plymouth Argyle shot-stopper should be back in time for pre-season this summer, and the initial two-year contract he signed in 2024 has an option to be extended, which Sheffield United will exercise.

Indeed, Davies’ contract extension ensures that if Cooper is injured again next season, Chris Wilder will have someone ready to step in who he can trust to keep the levels up.

Sheffield United will keep an eye on the goalkeeper market this summer, regardless of who is extended, since movement in and out might result in 21-year-old third-choice keeper Luke Faxon being loaned out.

In any case, Davies will continue in goal for this weekend’s final-day trip to play-off contenders Derby County, where the Blades will attempt to play spoiler to a Rams side that needs other results to go their way if they are to sneak into the top six at the last minute.