Wilder outlines Sheffield United transfer plans – with two players expected to depart and talks ongoing over move for defender

Wilder outlines Sheffield United transfer plans – with two players expected to depart and talks ongoing over move for defender

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says the club are in talks with Leicester City over signing defender Harry Souttar.

Central defenders Mark McGuinness and Nils Zätterström are not in Wilder’s plans for the upcoming season, with the Sheffield United boss keen on adding more depth in defence.

“We can’t just go in with Japh (Tanganga) and Jamal (Baptiste), two centre-halves for this season,” Wilder told BBC Sport . “Nils (Zätterström) needs to go out on loan and we’ve talked to Mark McGuinness about his future.

“Mark’s not part of the plans going forward but while he’s contracted to Sheffield United and if he’s here when the window shuts, he’ll be part of the first team but I don’t see him starting for us. It’s an area where I’m looking to change, in a different way to last season.”

Asked about the possibility of signing Souttar, Wilder revealed: “He’s one that’s got history with us, and we have been linked with him as well.

“We’ve already had conversations with Leicester about taking him, so the conversations will be ongoing. He’s a player that I obviously like and he had a great time on the pitch with us and off the pitch with the supporters and how much they rated and valued him.”

Wilder also says the club are considering signing forward Rabbi Matondo on a permanent contract, with United keen on adding more depth on the left wing.

Matondo has been on trial with the Blades, who continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 win over Rotherham.

“We’re speaking to him,” Wilder said. “He’s obviously had a few issues previously so we’re going over that, medically, as well.

“Maybe he’s not really shown the punters today what he has got but he has shown to me when I’ve seen him and what I know about him that he’s an exciting player.

“We’re still talking and we’ll see where that goes.”

Harrison Burrows and Tyrese Campbell missed the game over Rotherham, with Wilder explaining: “H just had a tight quad in the week so missed Tuesday and no gamble with him.

“Ty has worked away remotely. I need to get him into a physical condition where he can do repeated runs because that’s what we want at the top of the pitch, someone to stretch the game. Tom does it, Ryan does it, Ty, we need more out of.

“It’s not a punishment, we felt it was just better to work him after the Huddersfield game instead of him getting 20 minutes or half an hour today.”

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