Exclusive: Sheffield United told that Preston North End man "will be an option" on one condition | OneFootball

Emil Riis was a target in the January window, but could that be re-ignited come the summer?

Sheffield United's fate for the 2025-26 season is still yet to be determined, but there is a strong chance that they could be returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

However, a recent run of poor form, which saw three defeats in the space of a week to Oxford United, Millwall and Plymouth Argyle saw the Blades drop behind Leeds United and Burnley in the automatic promotion race.

If United have to settle for the mentally taxing post-season scramble that is the play-offs, then their promotion chances potentially become slimmer, but they would be well-equipped to go again next season if they don't make it - sooner rather than later though, the club will need to start thinking about transfers.

Lee Hendrie: Sheffield United should consider returning to Emil Riis transfer battle

In January, Sheffield United's new owners COH Sports splashed the cash, with the likes of Tom Cannon, Ben Brereton Diaz and Hamza Choudhury arriving at Bramall Lane on a mixture of permanent deals and loans.

Another player that was linked with a move to South Yorkshire was Preston North End striker Emil Riis, with a report from the Sheffield Star on the eve of the January window suggesting the Danish forward was a target for Chris Wilder - in the end though, Cannon and Brereton Diaz were both landed, negating the need for the 26-year-old.

Riis looks set to leave Deepdale after nearly five years though this summer, with manager Paul Heckingbottom confirming in March that contract talks were not on the table for the striker 'as things stand'.

And when asked as to whether United should follow up their previous interest in Riis this coming summer should promotion not be achieved, ex-Blades midfielder and current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that the Dane should be an option, despite the current depth at the top end of the pitch being quite solid.

"Possibly, yes," Hendrie said whilst exclusively speaking to Football League World.

"Again, I think they've got a really good squad depth of players, particularly in that forward line - they've got the likes of Tyrese Campbell, Tom Cannon, Rhian Brewster, so there's plenty of forward options for them that you feel they could certainly stand by.

"I'd imagine if they don't go up, he will be an option for them to re-ignite their interest, and I think if they did get promoted I'm not sure that would be the case.

"I imagine they'll look at that in the summertime and see what's going to fit the bill, and that's whether even Chris Wilder ends up staying there and if he continues to take control.

"There's a few ifs and buts on that one, but you think they'd certainly have that interest in getting his signature."

There may be no need for Emil Riis at Sheffield United even in the event of no Championship promotion

Riis has split opinion among Preston fans this season despite his goalscoring prowess, with his wild inconsistency in-front of goal being a source of frustration among the Lilywhites fanbase.

Despite that though, he was courted in the January window, and he's likely going to be a hot commodity going into the summer as a free agent, where he can field offers knowing he will be in his prime at 27 at the start of next season and could offer most Championship clubs something.

Should that be with Sheffield United though? Well, currently they have a wealth of talent signed up for next season in that area, with Campbell, Cannon and Kieffer Moore all contracted, whilst Rhian Brewster, whilst out of contract right now, is still wanted by Chris Wilder.

And especially if the United boss sticks with a lone striker system for next season, then the need for Riis is certainly going to be very minimal when it's all said and done, irrespective of his experience.