Three Sheffield United fans discuss which players could arrive at Bramall Lane in January

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Sheffield United have already made their first winter recruit.

Sheffield United agreed their first signing of 2019 before the previous year had even finished, landing Kieran Dowell on loan from Everton.

But what other business could happen at Bramall Lane this month?

We spoke to three Blades fans (prior to Dowell’s arrival) to find out…

What do you think United’s budget will be?

Jack Bingham (@jbingham90): Given the ongoing court battle between joint-owners (Kevin) McCabe and the prince (Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud), it’s expected our budget will be limited. Fans are hoping the David Brooks money will be available but most likely we’ll be going for good quality loans in January.

Jonathan Bradley (@curlywisejon): I couldn’t say but I’d imagine we will favour loans as we haven’t done too well with permanent January signings over the last few years.

Tom Seymour (@tomseyms): It’s going to be small. Chris Wilder has already admitted that he will have to target loans exclusively because of the restricted finances. These are likely to be from the Premier League, though, if possible so wages could still be significant. £2 million is being spent on making Oli Norwood a permanent signing as well of course, which is a huge bonus because he is a fantastic player.

In which positions do they need to strengthen?

JaB: First and foremost, we need somebody to compete with (Mark) Duffy in central attacking midfield. Pretty much everything the Blades do well goes through him but ageing legs mean he struggles after the 60-minute mark. Additionally, cover for John Fleck in the form of a box-to-box midfielder and perhaps another striker would be beneficial.

JoB: A striker or two and a creative player to give us a a plan B or C. The bench isn’t strong enough.

TS: Again, Wilder has been pretty open about this and a new striker is the priority, while another attacking midfielder would be a bonus. Two players will be the minimum but there could be a third. Although the Blades currently have six centre-backs at the club I wouldn’t be surprised if central defence was also targeted for improvement. Martin Cranie is out of contract (edit – this has now been extended) and is probably not what United need, Kean Bryan is still untested while Richard Stearman and Jake Wright are both in their thirties now. Perhaps a young, energetic defender to fit Wilder’s fluid system would work.

Who would be your dream January signing?

JaB: If we’re looking at somebody to compete with Duffy, perhaps Kieran Dowell who performed well for Forest on loan from Everton last season. He’s a different sort of player to Duffy but has that little bit of unpredictability which Brooks brought to the team last season.

JoB: Luke Freeman. If we could turn Dean Henderson’s deal permanent I’d be delighted.

TS: I think the Blades are one good striker away from a serious promotion push. Billy Sharp is proving reliable as always, but David McGoldrick works hard but is a little wasteful in front of goal, Leon Clarke has fitness issues and Conor Washington is not a natural goalscorer. There have already been rumours about Jermain Defoe (the Bournemouth striker) and despite being 36, he has kept himself in fantastic shape and would still be a leading performer at Championship level. His £65,000-a-week wages could be an issue, though.

Which players (if any) do you suspect they will target?

JaB: Players who have played (and performed) in the Championship previously and most likely Premier League loans. I would like to think we’ll target the likes of (Matej) Vydra and two other Burnley lads, (Sam) Vokes and (Ashley) Barnes, who may be available.

JoB: I think we will sign Jermain Defoe.

TS: Loanees from the Premier League does seem to be the aim. Rumours are mounting about Kieran Dowell and he would be a brilliant signing in my opinion. Really showed his talent at Nottingham Forest last season but is not getting game time at Everton this time around. Ben Woodburn’s loan at Bramall Lane has not worked and Dowell would be a far better option. As for strikers, if Defoe is too expensive then perhaps Wilder might take a look at Sam Gallagher who has shown his talent in spells on loan in the Championship already.

Any loaned-out players you’d like to see back?

JaB: I think the kids we have out on loan are benefitting from the experience of playing in lower leagues and the more senior players we have out on loan are there because we’ve gradually replaced them with better players.

JoB: None.

TS: In truth, probably not. The players who are out on loan are those that aren’t really good enough for the Championship. The likes of Samir Carruthers, Ricky Holmes and Ched Evans are probably at their level in League One. The only one I thought might be a success (and still could be) is Nathan Thomas, who was a standout for Hartlepool in League Two. Unfortunately he’s now with a struggling Notts County side and as a winger, also wouldn’t have a natural role in Wilder’s 3-4-1-2 formation.