Sheffield United told to 'steer clear' of controversial Sheffield Wednesday transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has given his verdict on the club's interest in Svante Ingelsson

Sheffield United have been unable to sustain another promotion push this season under Chris Wilder.

The Blades reached the play-off final last year after coming third in the Championship table, but missed out on a place in the Premier League with a defeat to Sunderland in the final.

The Yorkshire outfit have struggled to maintain their form from the previous campaign, with the team already out of contention for another top six finish with two games still to play.

Sheffield United will now be turning their attention to the summer transfer window, as Chris Wilder will be seeking improvements to his first team squad.

The club have been linked with a potential move for Sheffield Wednesday’s Svante Ingelsson, with their local rivals suffering the drop to League One this season.

However, the midfielder is also attracting interest from the likes of Stoke City and Swansea City as the end of the term approaches.

Sheffield United told to avoid Svante Ingelsson move

When asked about the prospect of signing the Swede, FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy claimed that the Blades should avoid any move for Ingelsson this summer because he’s not to the standard needed in the team.

He believes the club will need to act differently in the market this year due to losing the parachute payments received after going down from the Premier League, but that the Sheffield Wednesday player isn’t someone they should target regardless.

“I'd steer clear if I’m honest, Jimmy told Football League World.

“I don’t think he’s quite of the calibre that we’d be looking at.

“We have to acknowledge where we are as a club, we’re no longer in receipt of parachute payments, and we will be fighting to get into the top eight next season.

“So it’s not like in seasons gone by where we’ve got parachutes and we’ve got a top notch squad where we can be looking at top two immediately.

“We have to be aware of where we are, and we have to do sensible financial deals, but I’m not sure Ingelsson is of the calibre that we’ll be looking at.

“I think he’s an okay player, I think he’s looked good in a very poor side.

“They are statistically the worst team that’s ever been in this league, and he didn’t particularly stand out, so it’s a no to Svante Ingelsson from me, but I think there will be a lot of movement at Sheffield United, and I do expect centre-midfield to be an area that we’ll be looking at.”

Ingelsson is in the final year of his current contract with Sheffield Wednesday, but the Owls have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

The 27-year-old has been a consistent presence in the Championship so far this season, with the club suffering relegation to League One.

Sheffield United’s bitter rivals have struggled for results, with financial issues hampering their ability to compete under Henrik Pedersen.

Meanwhile, Wilder’s side are out of contention for a play-off place with just a week remaining in the campaign.

The two Yorkshire clubs are set for a busy summer transfer window, particularly with new owners set to be installed at Hillsborough.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Ingelsson, but it’s clear that teams are circling around his future with the Owls following their disastrous last 12 months.

He joined Sheffield Wednesday in the 2024 summer transfer window from German side Hansa Rostock, making 35 league appearances in his first campaign with the club.

Svante Ingelsson’s future is likely away from Sheffield Wednesday

While Sheffield United may have been warned against the signing of Ingelsson, it’s clear that his future is likelier away from Sheffield Wednesday than with.

The new owners will be hoping to build a competitive team for next season at Hillsborough, but the midfielder’s contract situation makes it difficult to hold onto him.

It would certainly be controversial for Ingelsson to cross the divide and join the Owls’ most bitter rivals.

With competition from Stoke and Swansea, perhaps those are more palatable destinations for Sheffield Wednesday, if they intend to cash in on this interest.