Sheffield United shunned West Ham and Everton transfer advances - it gives Ruben Selles a key lifeline | OneFootball

Ruben Selles has been handed a massive boost in keeping goalkeeper Michael Cooper at Bramall Lane

Sheffield United have been handed big boost by keeping goalkeeper Michael Cooper at the club amidst Premier League transfer interest

Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper joined the Blades last summer from Plymouth Argyle for a fee of around £2 million. A price that now looks like a steal after a more than impressive debut season at Bramall Lane.

The 25-year-old kept 23 clean sheets in 46 league appearances, exactly half of the games he featured in for the Blades last season.

However, despite their defensive stability, which gave them the third-best defensive record in the Championship, narrowly missing out on automatic places was quickly followed by play-off heartbreak as Sheffield United were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland at Wembley in May.

With the talented goalkeeper having a summer of uncertainty about where his future lied, the Blades were asking £15 million if he were to leave, with strong interest coming from Premier League clubs, Everton and West Ham United.

If the Blades were to cash in on the Englishman, it would have left them with a big profit on their £2 million investment, but Cooper sticking around at Bramall Lane has handed Ruben Selles a massive boost in forming a reliable foundation at the base of the pitch.

Keeping Michael Cooper is a big bonus for Ruben Selles at Sheffield united

With neither Everton nor West Ham willing to pay the asking price of £15 million for the signing of Cooper, his presence between the sticks for Ruben Selles is crucial if they are to form any type of success this season after a poor start to their campaign, which, one must wonder, could even see the Spaniard relieved of his duties before long if remedy is not forthcoming.

The Blades' success last season was largely based on defensive solidity rather than attacking prowess, meaning that if Cooper were to move on to pastures new, the number one position would've been a big void to fill, as the likelihood of finding a replacement of similar quality would've been a very tough ask.

This summer transfer window has been very active for the Blades who conducted business right up until the deadline, bringing in defensive reinforcements such as the likes of Ben Mee, Ben Godfrey, Japhet Tanganga. The list goes on. The Blades also lost prized assets such as Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vini Souza, and given that Cooper's future was also the subject of speculation, keeping him for a second season in the Steel City is massive for the Blades.

Having stabilised the backline with experienced faces, add Cooper to the mix in behind them and his commanding nature and authority he possesses between the sticks will for sure guide Selles' team back to winning ways.

New signings along with keeping Michael Cooper can kickstart a change in form for Sheffield United

Although the Blades currently sit rock bottom of the Championship at the turn of the international break, it gives the new manager a chance to welcome the new signings into the team and cement a starting XI that has been ever-changing in the early stages of the season.

With Cooper being one of, if not the first name on the teamsheet, the retention of his number one gives Selles one less problem to worry about.

The 25-year-old has been busy so far this season, having to make five saves in each of the Blades last two fixtures, both resulting in narrow 1-0 losses to Millwall and league leaders Middlesbrough. You cannot help but think if Cooper wasn't the man occupying the Sheffield United goalkeeper position, these two scorelines could have been more damaging.

With Sheffield United's squad starting to take shape, the introduction of new signings as well as keeping key players like Cooper in the side could mean that their redemption is on the horizon. The Blades still have their sights set on the Premier League but will need a quick turnaround in form if they are to have any chance of making their top-flight dream a reality.