Sheffield United were absolutely fleeced by Burnley - they lost £1m in 12 months | OneFootball

Sheffield United were the losers in this transfer scenario

Sheffield United were keen to bolster their squad in January 2006.

The previous season had seen the Blades underperform, failing to secure a place in the play-offs despite possessing an excellent squad which featured the likes of Paddy Kenny, Chris Morgan and Phil Jagielka.

Andy Gray had been their primary goalscorer during that campaign, but he was sold to Sunderland.

Neil Warnock had already made measures to boost his frontline, turning Danny Webber's loan deal into a permanent agreement after agreeing a deal with Watford.

Experienced operator Neil Shipperley was also recruited, and these additions looked to be suiting Sheffield United well during the first half of the 2005/06 campaign.

The Steel City Side won 11 of their first 12 Championship games, with a controversial defeat against Reading proving to be one of the only low points that season.

Despite Steve Kabba, Paul Ifill, Webber and Shipperley all chipping in with goals, Warnock was keen to bolster his attack during the January transfer window.

However, the transfer deal they eventually commenced proved to be a major blunder for all those involved.

Sheffield United came out second best in their deal for Ade Akinbiyi

Warnock was granted his wish of another striker, with Sheffield United signing Ade Akinbiyi from fellow Championship side Burnley for £1.75 million.

Akinbiyi had previous history with Warnock after he had left a heavy challenge on a Sheffield United player in the previous campaign, but this didn’t stop the manager from pushing heavily for his signature.

The striker did perform at first, scoring four goals in 15 league appearances during the 2005/06 campaign, including a debut strike against Derby County and a Steel City derby day silencer versus Sheffield Wednesday.

United were promoted from the Championship at the end of that season, with Akinbiyi looking like a player who could make a real difference in the Premier League. However, he would play just five more games for the club in all competitions.

After struggling to get into the matchday squad in the build-up to the January window, Akinbiyi was sold back to Burnley for £750,000 just a year after his arrival.

The Blades made a £1 million loss on the striker in a deal that proved to be a major blunder from Warnock and Co. in 2006.

Ade Akinbiyi wasn’t a complete failure at Bramall Lane

Ultimately, Akinbiyi wasn’t a success for Sheffield United and failed to live up to his price tag.

That said, he wasn’t a complete waste of money from the Blades. Important goals in the second half of the 2005/06 campaign were crucial in securing their promotion from the Championship.

It isn’t known whether Warnock’s side would’ve been promoted without signing the forward. The chances are, they probably would’ve.

But Akinbiyi’s contribution to that success can’t be disputed, no matter how poorly he performed once in the Premier League.

Burnley were the major winners in this transfer scenario, due to the fact that they effectively received £1 million for a year-long loan deal.