Rak-Sakyi moves to Bramall Lane in search of regular first team action.
“The plan that the gaffer (Chris Wilder) had for me when we spoke was good to hear, that was why I decided to come,” he told the club website.
“It was my first choice, I didn’t take in the outside noise, when I spoke to the gaffer I knew it was the right place for me.
“I want to play more football, this is about me getting out and playing as many games as I can.”
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Sheffield United’s wild £85m summer transfer window predicted – with Chelsea, Newcastle and Luton deals
Sheffield United’s preparations for their bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking have already led to a somewhat hectic summer for Chris Wilder.
A whole host of players have departed for pastures new with William Osula and Cameron Archer returning to the top flight with Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively and several long-serving Blades stars left the club after their contracts came to a close. Wilder has been busy adding to his ranks with the likes of Peterborough United captain Harrison Burrows, Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore and Coventry City midfielder Callum O’Hare all arriving.
The early signs are promising after the new Championship season was kicked off with a 2-0 win at Preston North End before Wilder’s men progressed into the Carabao Cup with a Austen Trusty, Louie Marsh and Anis Ben Slimane were on target in a 4-2 home win against former FA Cup rivals Wrexham. There are further new additions to be made and we wondered what could be in line for the remainder of the summer transfer window. So we fired up Football Manager 2024, updated the Blades squad to its current form and allowed the world’s most popular managerial simulation to predict how the next two weeks could play out for Wilder and his squad.
Goalkeepers
There was just one addition to the Blades goalkeeping ranks as Wilder brought in Volendam stopper Jay Gorter in a £1m deal. He will provide competition for Ivo Grbic and Adam Davies.
Wilder’s goalkeeping options: Grbic, Davies, Gorter.
Defenders
In terms of new departures, there was just the one as Rhys Norrington-Davies was allowed to join Championship rivals Luton Town in a £3m deal. There was also just one new arrival in defence as Jamal Lewis’ underwhelming stint at Newcastle United was brought to an end with a £2m move to Bramall Lane.
Wilder’s defensive options: Ahmedhodzic, Soutter, Trusty, Gilchrist, Robinson, Burrows, McCallum, Shackleton, Lewis.
Midfielders
There was something of a clear-out in Wilder’s midfield as he allowed three players to leave the club. The biggest deal saw Gustavo Hamer join Serie A club Atalanta in a £27m move and he was followed to Italy by Tom Davies as the former Everton midfielder moved to Serie B club Frosinone in a £6m deal. Ismaila Coulibaly remained in the Championship after Coventry City agreed a £4m deal for the former Sarpsborg midfielder. In terms of arrivals, there was just one as Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwueweka arrived on a season-long loan deal that has no option for a permanent switch at any point in the future.
Wilder’s midfield options: Souza, Slimane, Brooks, Arblaster, O’Hare, Chukwuemeka.
Forwards
Wilder has already added to his forward ranks this summer with the additions of Wales international Kieffer Moore and Stoke City’s Tyrese Campbell. However, the virtual Blades boss continued to strengthen in the final third with the addition of Fenerbahce winger Ryan Kent and Luton Town’s Chiedozie Ogbene. The new arrivals cost a combined £10m.
Wilder’s forward options: Brewster, Moore, Campbell, Kent, Ogbene.
Ins – Total spent £16.5m
Burrows (£2.5m from Peterborough United), Moore (£1m from Bournemouth), O’Hare (free from Coventry City), Campbell (free from Stoke City), Shackleton (free from Leeds United), McCallum (free from Norwich City), Souttar (loan from Leicester City), Gilchrist (loan from Chelsea), Chukwuemeka (loan from Chelsea), Lewis (£2m from Newcastle United), Kent (3m from Fenerbachce), Ogbene (£7m from Luton Town), Gorter (1m from Volendam)
Outs – Total received £68.5m
Archer (£11m to Aston Villa), Osula (£10m to Newcastle United), Bogle (£4m to Leeds United), Traore (£3.5m to FC Basel), McBurnie (free to Las Palmas), Baldock (free to Panathaniakos), Lowe (free to Sheffield Wednesday), Osborn (free to Derby County), Jebbison (free to Bournemouth), Foderingham (free to West Ham United), Curtis (loan to Peterborough United), Egan (released), Norwood (released), Basham (released), Davies (£6m to Frosinone), Norrington-Davies (£3m to Luton Town), Coulibaly (£4m to Coventry City), Hamer (£27m to Atalanta)
