Sheffield United’s Andre Brooks replacement is waiting for them at Aston Villa | OneFootball

Sheffield United should look to sign Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa this summer to replace Andre Brooks

Sheffield United knew heading into the summer that one or two big sales were a necessity to offset the loss of parachute payments, as academy graduate Andre Brooks has left the club for a potential eight-figure fee to join Norwich City; Chris Wilder should turn his attentions to Aston Villa for his replacement.

As the beginning of the new Championship season draws closer, transfer business is starting to accelerate, and that is no different in the case of Sheffield United.

When the Blades announced their retained list for the year, ten first-team players were to depart the club upon the end of their contracts and loan deals, wiping a huge chunk of the wage bill off the books. But the outgoings certainly aren't over at Bramall Lane.

Academy graduate Andre Brooks, who scored ten and assisted six across 96 appearances in all competitions during his time with the Blades, has left the club to join Norwich City in an initial £8 million deal that could rise to £10 million.

Brooks' departure is a bitter pill to swallow, and in an ideal world, it wouldn't have been necessary to raise funds. But, with the Jamaican international's exit confirmed, Wilder ought to turn his attentions to Aston Villa to source his replacement.

Sheffield United should look to sign Samuel Iling-Junior from Aston Villa this summer to replace Andre Brooks

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In what was an otherwise glum year in South Yorkshire, Brooks was a ray of light on the right flank.

Having joined the club at the age of eight, the 22-year-old progressed through the youth ranks in the Steel City and established himself as a regular in the first team over the past couple of years, with his game time excelling in the most recent campaign.

His performances on the right side of attack have enticed Norwich to part ways with a potential eight-figure fee for his services, as Sheffield United collect the money to reinvest in the squad, or certainly Blades fans will hope so.

Replacing Brooks won't be an easy task, but Wilder should consider a move for Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior to fill that void.

Iling-Junior, 22, is the same age as Brooks, and similarly to the Jamaican, is a left-footed attacker capable of playing off either flank, but unlike Brooks, is also adept at playing as a wing-back, offering more versatility.

The Villa winger came through the ranks at Chelsea before switching to Italy with Juventus in 2020, where he would make 45 first-team appearances for the Old Lady before joining Villa in the summer of 2024 for €14 million (£11.8 million).

However, since his move to the Second City, Iling-Junior has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Villains, instead heading out on loan on four separate occasions to the likes of Bologna, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, and most recently Pisa.

Due to return to Villa Park imminently, it's unlikely that the former England youth international will play any key role for the Europa League champions next season, and could look for another exit, this time potentially permanently.

Sheffield United ought to be in the queue should such an opportunity arise, as though Villa will likely be hoping to see back as much of that eight-figure fee they paid for Iling-Junior just two years ago, they are surely resigned to taking a hit on him following his lack of development.

Iling-Junior has bags of talent, and at just 22, has ample time to improve on his game just yet, but needs a permanent home where he can find regular game time to take him to the next level.

With 40 Championship appearances under his belt already despite his age, the winger knows exactly what the second tier is about, and will be better off for his experience with both Middlesbrough and West Brom previously.

Chris Wilder must source Andre Brooks replacement at Sheffield United and must consider Samuel Iling-Junior swoop

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With outgoings aplenty so far at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United have yet to make any additions, as Wilder plots his summer moves.

The 58-year-old will no doubt have a shortlist of targets drawn up already, but is waiting for the right time to strike, as well as seeing what the future holds for players such as Gus Hamer and Sydie Peck, both of whom are expected to attract their own interest over the coming weeks and months.

In any case, Brooks will need replacing, with the only natural replacement in the Blades ranks currently being Tahith Chong, though with the Curacao international failing to set the world alight in South Yorkshire since his move last summer from Luton Town, he likely won't be depended upon.

Iling-Junior could be an excellent piece of business for the Blades if they can pick him up on a relatively cheap deal, and would be an ideal replacement for Brooks.