Exclusive: Don Goodman backs Sheffield United to seal QPR transfer - "It makes sense" | OneFootball

The Blades have renewed their interest in Dunne after missing out on his services in January

Don Goodman isn't surprised that Sheffield United have renewed their interest in Queens Park Rangers' out-of-contract ace, Jimmy Dunne.

In the coming weeks, Chris Wilder will be preparing his boyhood club for a second successive season of Championship football, despite the fact the Blades were one of the three standout teams in last season's race for Premier League football.

After missing out on automatic promotion, United looked to be on their way back to the top-flight last weekend after being in control of the play-off final against Sunderland for the majority of the contest, before Eliezer Mayenda and Tommy Watson turned the scoreline on its head in dramatic fashion.

However, just days after the most agonising of Wembley defeats, the hierarchy at Bramall Lane are already looking ahead to next season, with the South Yorkshire club among the cluster of sides immediately expected to challenge for promotion, and acquiring the centre-back's services would mark the beginning of the rebuilding job required to achieve such feats.

It was exclusively revealed by Football League World in January that Dunne was a key target for Wilder ahead of a crucial second-half of the season, before the Hoops rejected a £2m bid for the Irishman, who has excelled at Loftus Road in recent times.

It has since been reported by Alan Nixon that Dunne is once again a prime target for Wilder and is looking to strike a deal as soon as possible, and it is one which makes sense in Goodman's eyes after the Blades endured a season of mixed fortunes at the back.

The 27-year-old is currently out-of-contract in West London after signing a one-year extension last summer, and the R's have confirmed they remain in discussions with him over the possibility of fresh terms after announcing the club's retained/released list.

"I do think Jimmy Dunne to Sheffield United makes a massive amount of sense," the Sky Sports pundit exclusively told FLW.

"I should think that, in reality, Chris Wilder would be gutted that he wasn't able to bring him to the club in January. There were strong links.

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"Despite Queens Park Rangers having a below-average season, Jimmy Dunne continued to impress, score lots of goals and have a massive influence on the team," Goodman stated.

"Sheffield United, although they had a brilliant defensive record, it definitely got worse once Harry Souttar was injured, and I think that was one of the main reasons, in the end, that Leeds and Burnley were able to pull away.

"In answer to your question, Jimmy Dunne would be solid business for Chris Wilder and Sheffield United," he concluded.

Jimmy Dunne signing would cover an array of positions for Sheffield United

There's no disproving that the Blades had less defensive solidity once Souttar was injured in late December, shipping 23 of their 36 goals conceded after his final appearance against Burnley on Boxing Day, although Harry Clarke and Hamza Choudhury were signed on loan in January to bolster the rearguard.

Dunne scooped three awards at QPR's end-of-season ceremony, including Players' Player of the Year, and made 36 of his 47 appearances at right-back, proving a real aerial threat from attacking set-pieces on top of his strong defensive nous, which are two aspects strongly associated with how Wilder sets up his sides, despite showcasing a new play-style at Bramall Lane during his second stint.