Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has stated that he wants three additional signings this summer as he seeks to improve on last season’s 13th place finish.

So far, the Blades have made only two additions this summer: veteran defender Matt Doherty and Brentford starlet Romelle Donovan.

The budget available to United has been severely reduced as a result of no parachute payment and a winding-up order issued by former owner Prince Abdullah bin Musaed Al Saud to the individuals who purchased the club from him in late 2024.

Wilder has identified Leicester City defender Harry Souttar as a significant target, but his attempts to recruit the Australian have been stymied, with an initial approach rejected.

Now, in an interview with The Yorkshire Post, the Sheffield United manager has made an intriguing disclosure about the upcoming season, which depends on his ability to sign three new players.

Chris Wilder feels Sheffield United are three signings away from becoming a top six contender.

Despite a frustrating summer that has left fans pessimistic about the Blades’ chances this season, Wilder remains optimistic about the new campaign.

In an interview with The Yorkshire Post, Sheffield United’s manager discussed his expectations for the upcoming season, which are dependent on his team’s transfer activity during the remaining window.”We will pursue promotion and strive for excellence,” he stated.Typically, the top teams in the division have large wage budgets. Ours is an extremely healthy one. I expect us to compete, but I want us to be extremely competitive.

Sheffield United – Summer Incomings 2026

Name

Position Fee

Signed from

Matt Doherty is a free-agent running back.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Romelle Donovan

RW

Loan

Brentford

* Correct as of August 8, 2026.The bulk of our work is working with the good players that we’ve got and adding some real quality to it. “What did we finish last year? 13th? That ain’t going to be good enough for me. It’s not going to be good enough for the supporters.

“We’re basically three players off turning this team from a team which I like into a really good team. The work now is to get those three players in as early as we can. “”I think being in the top six is very competitive,” the Blades manager concluded.

Wilder believes that removing ‘energy-sappers’ will be crucial for Sheffield United’s season.

Sheffield United has had a number of high-profile exits this summer, including Danny Ings, Ben Mee, Tom Davies, and Andre Brooks.

Interestingly, Wilder feels these departures will improve his team, claiming that the players who would not be at Bramall Lane at the end of the transfer window sucked vitality from the rest of his squad.

“Everybody wants to see signings,” Wilder told The Yorkshire Post. “But my challenge has been to get the most out of guys who did not have strong seasons last year or underperformed.

“Last season, there were a number of players that took a lot of energy from the group because they knew they weren’t going to be here or participate, and it had an impact. We successfully moved those players on.We have a very cohesive bunch.”

The Blades begin their new season with a Carabao Cup trip to League One Mansfield Town on Sunday, followed by their first Championship encounter against Birmingham City next Saturday.