Sheffield United’s 2025/26 season was marked by severely uneven fortunes, and those linked with the Bramall Lane club will be looking for much better stability on the pitch next season as a result.

Indeed, Chris Wilder is currently preparing for the first full season of his third managerial spell in charge of the Blades, having returned to his boyhood club last September following the club’s disastrous start in the Championship under Ruben Selles, who was in charge for only six games across all competitions.

Following a mid-table finish in the second division last season, the Steel City outfit is expected to mount a far more prolonged campaign for the play-offs in 2026/27, especially with the post-season lottery expanded from four to six teams.

Wilder has been around the Championship long enough to realise what type of players his team would need to be successful in that regard, and the 58-year-old has already made a number of critical selections this offseason.

Jairo Riedewald and Danny Ings were released at the end of the previous season, and it has been reported that the United manager is looking for experienced players as part of his next squad overhaul.

Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City has been widely linked with a return to S2, while the club’s major creative spark, Gustavo Hamer, continues to fuel speculation about a move away from Bramall Lane, and another update has been released on the 29-year-old.

Trabzonspor renews interest in Sheffield United ace Gustavo Hamer

It is well documented how much of an impact Hamer has had in this part of South Yorkshire since his £15 million transfer from Coventry City three summers ago, following United’s most recent ascent to the Premier League under Paul Heckingbottom.

Despite the club’s rapid relegation back to the EFL, the Dutch-Brazilian’s performances shone brightly, and despite a flurry of transfer interest, the Blades’ playmaker was named the Championship’s Player of the Season in 2024/25.

Even while the squad lacked consistency throughout the season, the same could not be said for Hamer, who scored five goals and assisted 13 times in 37 Championship games, with additional interest in his services reported with only 12 months remaining on his contract.

Trabzonspor, a Süper Lig club, were heavily linked with a move for his signature in January, and according to a report from Turkish outlet Fotomac, the team that finished third in the division last season has renewed their interest as a result of the midfielder’s current situation at United, with a formal offer expected in the coming days.

What has Chris Wilder previously stated regarding probable Sheffield United, Gus Hamer leave chatter as Trabzonspor lurk?

It had previously been stated that part of United’s signing strategy was to add more depth out wide to accommodate Hamer in his natural ’10’ place, implying a possible stay for the playmaker, but, understandably, conjecture has also persisted.

In the final weeks of last season, Wilder was frequently questioned about the status of his star performer and forward, Tyrese Campbell, both of whom have substantial Championship experience but have yet to sign new contracts.

“If a player wants to leave but there is no interest, he will stay for the next season. We don’t appreciate players who are running down their contracts, especially because the club paid a lot of money for Gus,” he explained.

There is still a long way to go in the summer transfer window, and Trabzonspor’s projected proposal may not be accepted on the first try.

However, many would not be surprised if the Turkish club’s interest sparked a potential bidding war that United might struggle to withstand, especially if, next January, they leave themselves vulnerable to losing Hamer on a free transfer via a pre-contract agreement.