How 2025 Sheffield United signing feels about penning long-term Blades contract | OneFootball

Jairo Riedewald is likely to have his contract extended by Sheffield United at the end of this season, but he's open to signing a new deal regardless

Sheffield United are set for a busy summer transfer window, as the Blades look to trim a bloated squad after a disappointing season.

In the three months between Chris Wilder's departure following last season's play-off final defeat and his eventual return after a shocking start to the current term under Ruben Selles, a lot had changed at Bramall Lane.

Not only were Sheffield United winless in the six games in all competitions under the Spanish boss and battling down in the relegation zone, but the squad was borderline unrecognisable from the one that accumulated 92 points on the field the year prior.

Granted, key players such as Vini Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Kieffer Moore had all left, but the replacements, whether on loan or bought through the AI recruitment model the Blades adopted over the summer, weren't up to scratch for Wilder when he returned.

So, a couple of free agent signings were made in between the two transfer windows, and one of them, Jairo Riedewald, is reportedly open to agreeing a longer-term contract at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United could receive big Jairo Riedewald contract boost

A month following Chris Wilder's return to the Sheffield United dugout, the Blades announced the free agent arrival of Jairo Riedewald on a short-term deal after he departed Belgian side Royal Antwerp last summer.

The former Crystal Palace man has been a solid addition to the squad and was near ever-present in the side between November and January during a run where they won seven out of 12 games to make certain critics feel that they could make a run into the play-offs during the second half of the season.

He extended his contract until the end of the season back in December, with it being stated that the club had the option to extend it by an extra year at its completion, an option that the Sheffield Star reported last month that the Blades were keen to exercise.

But, in an update that will no doubt be even better received, The Star have reported that Riedewald is open to sign an even longer contract at Bramall Lane.

The 29-year-old has played more league games this season than he has in his past four, last playing more than 25 times back in the 2020/21 campaign, and he's been a key part of Chris Wilder's side when fit.

Evidently, Riedewald is enjoying himself in South Yorkshire, and after a couple of years bouncing between England and Belgium, he's reportedly wanting to settle down as he heads into his thirties.

Jairo Riedewald's contract boost could soften the blow of a potential Sydie Peck exit

Unfortunately, there'll likely be more big outgoings than incomings at Bramall Lane this summer, as Sheffield United gear up for their first Championship season without Premier League parachute payments since the 2018/19 campaign.

The future of fellow Dutchman Gustavo Hamer is still up in the air, with him entering the final year of his contract, and fellow midfielder Sydie Peck will also be the subject of some transfer talk, given his status as one of the Blades' key assets.

Chris Wilder has said recently that "if we have to sell a player or two, then we will do," but did stress that he doesn't want the club to "give them away," either for free or for a cut-price.

If Peck, for instance, does leave, then tying Riedewald down to a longer-term contract should be of the utmost importance, as that would ensure that the Blades still have a strong midfield pivot for a few years, with Oli Arblaster expected to feature more prominently next year with a full pre-season behind him.

Additionally, given the Blades' stance on players who enter the final years of their deals, they wouldn't want to risk losing Riedewald for nothing this time next year.

So, if the player himself is keen to add an extra year or two to his pre-existing deal, then Sheffield United shouldn't hesitate in making sure that happens.