Sheffield United must take advantage of Southampton bombshell with £0 switch | OneFootball

Sheffield United should look to sign Ross Stewart on a free transfer this summer after his Southampton exit

Sheffield United's last summer transfer window didn't go exactly to plan, but this time around, Chris Wilder will be keen to ensure the Blades are in as strong a position as possible heading into the next Championship campaign, and could kick the window off by taking advantage of Southampton's shock decision.

The 2025/26 season wasn't especially memorable for Sheffield United supporters, at least in terms of positive memories.

Ruben Selles oversaw the club's summer transfer window, sanctioning the arrivals of the likes of Mark McGuinness, Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene, Louie Barry, and Ben Godfrey, the latter three joining on loan.

It would be fair to suggest the Spaniard's time at the helm was a disaster, losing each of his six games in charge before being replaced by Wilder, who would guide the Blades to a 13th-placed finish.

Wilder will now have to battle with the loss of parachute payments and be forced to be more astute in the market, which could work to their advantage, and should react ASAP to the shock news coming out of Southampton concerning one of their star forwards.

Sheffield United should consider a swoop for Ross Stewart after the Scot's shock release from Southampton

When Wilder returned to the helm at Bramall Lane, it was made abundantly clear almost instantly that he wasn't completely pleased by the transfer business that preceded his arrival.

Patrick Bamford and Jairo Riedewald were signed as free agents outside the transfer window, with the Blades having failed to replace the departures of Anel Ahmedhodzic, Rhian Brewster, Vinicius Souza, or Kieffer Moore.

Bamford, in particular, joined an attack containing each of Danny Ings, Tom Cannon, and Tyrese Campbell, the latter two of whom were signed under Wilder, and was instantly made the club's first-choice option up top, with Wilder preferring a focal point as his main centre-forward, something neither one of Ings, Cannon, nor Campbell could sufficiently offer.

The former Leeds United striker scored 12 and assisted once in 28 Championship appearances for the Blades, a more than solid return, but at 32, he isn't getting any younger, as Sheffield United should consider a move for Scottish striker Ross Stewart.

Stewart, 29, is certainly no spring chicken himself, at three years Bamford's senior, but his release from Southampton has come as a shock to many.

The Scot, who is set to represent his nation at the World Cup in North America imminently, joined the Saints in the summer of 2023 for a fee that could have potentially risen to £12 million from Sunderland, but has been ravaged by injuries ever since arriving on the South Coast.

In three years at Southampton, Stewart managed just 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 and assisting three. Those numbers aren't exactly awe-inspiring, but taking into account a large portion of those were from the bench as he attempted to regain fitness, they become all the more impressive.

Cyle Larin was signed on loan in January by the Saints to provide competition for Stewart up top following the departure of Adam Armstrong to Wolverhampton Wanderers, a deal which has since become permanent following an impressive few months at St Mary's.

Now, Stewart will be on the lookout for another club following his release, as Sheffield United should be one of the first teams in the queue for his signature.

Standing at six-feet-two-inches, his frame matches exactly what Wilder prefers in a centre-forward, and with a solid goal return almost everywhere he has played across his career, the only elephant in the room in signing him is his poor injury record.

Sheffield United are not exactly in a position to offer substantial wages to players who may well not be fit enough to play large portions of the season, and Stewart, going off recent history, comes with that worry.

However, the reward in this situation almost certainly outweighs the risk, as Wilder should be on the phone to him as soon as possible to try and get a deal for the striker over the line, with Stewart possessing the potential to take the Blades to the next level.

Chris Wilder must take advantage of Southampton's contract blunder by bringing Ross Stewart to Sheffield United

Action images

After a messy season, Wilder will be keen to clear out the Sheffield United roster and start afresh this summer.

The likes of Ogbene, Tyler Bindon, Kalvin Phillips, Ki-Jana Hoever, Leo Hjelde, and Djibril Soumare have all returned to their parent clubs from their loan spells, whilst each of Ings, Riedewald, Ben Mee, and Tom Davies have all been released, bringing their outgoings to ten strong already.

More exits are likely to raise funds, with each of Sydie Peck, Femi Seriki, Andre Brooks, and Gustavo Hamer likely to attract interest over the coming months.

Whatever the case, it will be a new-look Blades side next season, and one that Wilder should be looking to make Stewart a key component of by taking advantage of Southampton's contract blunder.