Sheffield United’s potential new owners are interested in an ambitious double-swoop for Matt Grimes and Kenny McLean from Swansea and Norwich City respectively as plans for 2024/25 and beyond head underway at Bramall Lane.
According to a recent Patreon report from transfer guru Alan Nixon, the seasoned Championship midfield duo are of interest to the Silicon Valley-based US consortium seeking to take over the Blades.
Chris Wilder’s side suffered a dismal relegation campaign from the Premier League last time out and racked up just 16 points across a season that inevitably concluded in an immediate return to English football’s second tier.
And the ongoing takeover situation has been testing the resolve of their ability to conduct transfer business ahead of a hopeful promotion push.
Wilder has only been able to get Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum through the door following their departures from Leeds United and Norwich City thus far, although they’re now set to sign Bournemouth frontman Kieffer Moore and have also moved past the Whites in the race for in-demand free agent Callum O’Hare.
Sheffield United’s potential new owners eyeing Matt Grimes and Kenny McLean
Nixon has reported that the Blades’ potential new owners, who are advised by ex-scout Des Taylor, have already formulated a list of transfer targets if their takeover of the club is completed and both Grimes and McLean feature.
Unsurprisingly, it’s believed that Swansea will not part ways with Grimes easily and will demand a strong outlay for their popular ever-present captain, who has made more than 300 appearances for the South Wales outfit.
| Matt Grimes’ stats for Swansea City across all competitions, as per FotMob | ||
| Season | Division | Appearances |
| 2014/15 | Premier League | 3 |
| 2015/16 | Premier League | 4 |
| 2018/19 | Championship | 50 |
| 2019/20 | Championship | 49 |
| 2020/21 | Championship | 51 |
| 2021/22 | Championship | 48 |
| 2022/23 | Championship | 46 |
| 2023/24 | Championship | 50 |
The report adds that Norwich will also hold out for a strong fee upon any advancements for McLean, with the Scottish international midfielder having earned strong interest from boyhood club Rangers across the current summer transfer window.
Matt Grimes and Kenny McLean would be firm statements of intent from new potential Sheffield United owners
If the takeover is successful, then United’s new owners could quickly endear themselves to supporters by acquiring two excellent and experienced midfield options, both of which would help to underline their serious promotion credentials.
Midfield metronome Grimes has been among the finest Championship players in his position for a number of years now, with his ability to dictate the tempo in the middle of the park helping to maintain Swansea’s philosophical possession-based approach.
Stylistically, his profile is somewhat at odds with Wilder’s tactical modus operandi but we could see a fresh dynamic to a typically-dogged and direct Blades side next term.
On the other hand, McLean is more efficient at breaking up play than Grimes is, but their roles can overlap and create a healthy balance in United’s midfield engine room.
Indeed, their potential midfield next year could be something to behold if they also pull off the signing of ex-Coventry City starlet O’Hare, who would offer a different dimension of creativity, attacking thrust and a recently-developed goal threat.
Wolves are in for Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer following the Blades’ relegation to the Championship.
The takeover hasn’t been completed just yet, but the early indications are that the potential Stateside owners mean business and Bramall Lane could be in for a treat next term.
