Sheffield United are set to be serious contenders for Championship promotion alongside Leeds United this season.

The club appears to be nearing completion of a major takeover deal, with reports suggesting confirmation could arrive this week. Leeds United’s promotion rivals in the Championship are expected to benefit financially from the prospective new ownership, potentially setting the stage for squad reinforcements in a post-January push for the Premier League.

Sheffield United’s future has been clouded with uncertainty for months due to prolonged negotiations between current owner Prince Abdullah and a US-based consortium. Deadlines have come and gone throughout the season, causing frustration among supporters, with the outgoing owner reluctant to make substantial investments before exiting.

Recent developments indicate progress in the negotiations, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting on Monday that a deal could be confirmed ‘within the next 48 hours’. The consortium, led by Steve Rosen, is reportedly set to acquire Sheffield United for approximately £105 million. This has been corroborated by The Star, which adds that an agreement is ‘imminent’ following recent advancements.

Several obstacles have been overcome, including a reshuffle within the buying group and demands from the EFL for financial assurances. It is now anticipated that confirmation will come ahead of Sheffield United’s upcoming fixture against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. This would place the promotion-seeking Blades under new, ambitious ownership well before the January transfer window opens.

However, a substantial spending spree mid-season is not guaranteed. Nixon suggests potential friction between the new owners and manager Chris Wilder, as Rosen appears eager to invest to boost promotion chances, while Wilder may exercise caution in disrupting a well-bonded squad performing strongly.

Blades Remain in Promotion Hunt

Despite overseeing the departure of over a dozen first-team players and minimal spending in the summer, Sheffield United have built a competitive, if somewhat lean, squad at Bramall Lane. They invested seven-figure fees in Harrison Burrows, Kieffer Moore, and Michael Cooper, while Callum O’Hare, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, and Alfie Gilchrist joined on free transfers or loans.

Currently, Sheffield United sit third in the Championship, trailing Leeds by a single point, following recent 2-0 victories over Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City. These wins helped Wilder’s team recover after a lacklustre display led to a 2-0 defeat at Elland Road last month.

Wilder acknowledged that Leeds were ‘head and shoulders’ above any team they’d encountered this season, with second-half goals from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph sealing a dominant performance under Daniel Farke. However, were it not for a two-point deduction at the season’s start, Sheffield United would currently stand above their Yorkshire rivals.

The confirmation of the takeover is expected to bring stability to the South Yorkshire club ahead of a critical winter period, with potential funds available if Wilder wishes to strengthen the squad in January. Alongside Leeds and early frontrunners Sunderland, the Blades remain among the popular choices for promotion back to the Premier League.