Brannagan signs: Identifying 3 ideal Oliver Norwood replacements for Sheffield United | OneFootball

Sheffield United have plenty of work to do this summer to get themselves back on track.

They may have some talented players at their disposal, but they only recorded 16 points during the 2023/24 campaign and were nowhere near good enough under both Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Wilder.

With players heading back to their parent clubs, including Ben Brereton Diaz, there will surely be space for the Blades to recruit some additions between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

Jayden Bogle and Rhys Norrington-Davies will be staying and there are discussions ongoing with Adam Davies, John Egan, Oli McBurnie and Ben Osborn, with Daniel Jebbison also being made an offer.

However, a number of first-teamers are also set to be released, which should create more room for fresh faces to arrive when the summer window opens.

Jordan Amissah, Chris Basham, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe and Oliver Norwood are all set to depart on the expiration of their deals.

Basham, Bladock and Foderingham will be fondly remembered for their contributions, as well as Norwood, who has made valuable contributions for the South Yorkshire outfit in the top two tiers of English football.

With Norwood confirmed to be leaving, we have selected three potential replacements that United could target.

Luke Cundle

The Blades need someone who can contribute in the final third like Norwood did for much of his stay at Bramall Lane - and this is a key reason why Cundle could be a good addition.

Already having plenty of Championship experience under his belt at a fairly young age, the midfielder should be able to adapt to life in South Yorkshire fairly quickly if he makes this switch.

Registering seven goals and eight assists in all competitions last term, he would be able to contribute from midfield and it's players like the Wolverhampton Wanderers man who can add the goals needed to guide United to promotion.

His contract at Molineux doesn't expire until 2026, but if sales are made, the Blades could potentially afford a move for the 22-year-old.

He's certainly someone worth investing in.

Lewis Wing

Wing is currently at League One side Reading and although he has failed to thrive in the second tier at times during his career, he can control games from central midfield.

Norwood was a threat from dead-ball situations and Wing is similar in that aspect, with both players also able to sit deep if required.

It can also be said that Norwood and Wing can both pass very well and change games with their deliveries, so making an approach to sign the Royals' star wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Berkshire side's key man also captained the Royals on occasions during the 2023/24 campaign and that shows that he can be a positive figure to have in the dressing room.

Recording 11 goals and 11 assists in 49 competitive appearances last season, his contributions both on and off the pitch could be extremely valuable for the Blades if he joins.

Cameron Brannagan

Brannagan has been at Oxford United for many years now and following their promotion to the second tier, it may take a lot to lure him away from the Kassam Stadium.

However, the Blades could be an attractive destination for the midfielder, who can be a real threat from free-kicks and penalties and could assert himself as a regular starter at Bramall Lane.

Like Wing, Brannagan is someone who can sit in a deep midfield role and be combative, which could make him a good replacement for Norwood.

It may take time for the Oxford man to adapt to life in the second tier after spending many years in a lower division, but it feels as though he's more than ready to compete at a higher level and United could do a lot worse than make a bid for the 28-year-old.