Sheffield United should line up transfer raid for star Billy Sharp is learning from | OneFootball

Sheffield United should make a transfer swoop for Billy Sharp's Doncaster Rovers teammate, Owen Bailey

Sheffield United have endured a largely disappointing Championship campaign, and boss Chris Wilder intends to oversee a significant rebuild at Bramall Lane this summer.

The Blades' shortcomings were highlighted once again on Wednesday when they were defeated 3-1 by Blackburn Rovers on home soil, a result which secured the Lancashire outfit's second-tier status.

United began the season with aspirations of clinching a Premier League return, but are instead battling for the less glamorous achievement of a top-half finish with just two games remaining.

Former boss Ruben Selles oversaw a woeful spell at the beginning of the Championship season, while Wilder has failed to make his side consistent since returning to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United have to seal summer swoop for free-scoring Doncaster Rovers ace

Sheffield United's current status as a mid-table outfit is indicative of the fact that they must add more quality to their ranks in the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Wilder revealed that United are open to selling both Sydie Peck and Gus Hamer ahead of next season, to help with their rebuild.

Hamer is a largely reliable asset for the Blades in the final third and has notched four goals and 11 assists in 35 Championship appearances this season.

If the Bramall Lane club choose to cash in on the former Coventry City man, who is under contract until the summer of 2027, Wilder will need to find another goalscoring midfielder to replace the man who notched 10 last term.

Doncaster Rovers ace Owen Bailey could prove to be a highly fruitful option, as he has scored 13 goals in 44 League One outings this season, even though Grant McCann's men were threatened with relegation for large spells of the campaign.

Bailey's exploits in Doncaster colours suggest that he is capable of performing in the Championship, while a move to South Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United would mean he wouldn't have to relocate.

Discussing the 27-year-old's strong form back in October, ex-Blades forward Billy Sharp, now a Rovers player, told the Yorkshire Post: "He's doing well. He makes runs into the box, and his desire to get on the end of things is there to see. It's why he's scoring goals.

"Myself and others need to take a leaf out of his book and run into the box, commit and get on the end of things and make things happen for each other. We need to get more bodies into the box to create more opportunities for each other."

Wilder is well aware of Sharp's previous goalscoring tendencies and should take the 40-year-old's praise as an incentive to bring Bailey to Bramall Lane.

Owen Bailey transfer would be detrimental to future Doncaster Rovers survival hopes

If Sheffield United land a move for Bailey this summer, it would be the ultimate testament to how much of a class act he has been in League One this season.

The former Gateshead man has seamlessly adjusted to life in the third tier, scoring more than double the number of goals he managed when Doncaster won the League Two title last term.

His goalscoring and assist-making exploits have steered Rovers clear of relegation trouble, and McCann's men are preparing for another third-tier season thanks to his efforts.

However, if Doncaster lose the asset who has notched 17 League One goal contributions for them this season, it would heavily dampen their chances of retaining their third-tier status once again.

Sharp's previous comments highlight how good Bailey has been this campaign, and ultimately add to the evidence that he could be a class act in the Championship for Sheffield United, should the Blades complete a swoop for his signature.