Sheffield United looking to add experienced 27-year-old to the defence

Sheffield United need to recruit leaders this summer

Chris Wilder will surely be hoping to keep Egan at S2; losing Oliver Norwood, Chris Basham, Baldock and Egan in the same window would be detrimental from a leadership point of view.

The United chief must recognise he needs to strengthen that side of his team, and perhaps that is why the Blades have been linked with two Championship veterans Joe Worrall and Luke Ayling.

According to TEAMtalk, Sheffield United are hoping to secure the signature of Nottingham Forest centre-back Joe Worrall this summer. The two parties were reportedly interested in a move back in January but Forest refused to do business with a relegation rival and therefore sent him on loan to Turkish side Besiktas.

The 27-year-old scored one goal in six appearances in the Turkish top-flight and helped secure two clean sheets.

Meanwhile, multiple sources have linked the Blades with Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling who is out of contract this summer. The 32-year-old has had a very bright loan spell with Middlesbrough for the final half of the campaign where he provided eight assists in 19 games for the Boro.

As a result of his successful loan spell Michael Carrick is wanting to permanently sign Ayling this summer, but the Blades are also in for his signature.

My view

Signing two players with the profile of Worrall and Ayling would be smart recruitment in my view with the pair having well over 400 Championship appearances between them.

Although this rebuild should have a focus of bringing in some fresh young blood, I personally see this as a 12 month rebuild. The first window should be about steadying the ship and signing experienced players, particularly in defence.

Potentially having Jack Robinson, Egan, Worrall, Ayling, in the defensive department will only help United in their quest to bounce back to the Premier League. From there, adding exciting talents such as Harrison Burrows and Ashley Phillips would add a perfect blend of youth and experience to the Sheffield United back line.