Blades boss Wilder calls for 'clarity' over takeover

Chris Wilder wants Sheffield United's future sorted out before the January transfer window

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has called for “clarity” over the club’s takeover ahead of the January transfer window.

The Blades boss has taken his team to level on points with Leeds United and Sunderland at the top of the Championship table with a five-match unbeaten run and they take on struggling Oxford United at home on Tuesday.

Wilder wants to strengthen his squad, especially after losing influential midfielder Oliver Arblaster to an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Sheffield derby last week.

But a proposed takeover by a consortium led by US-based businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy has yet to be concluded, with current owner Prince Abdullah yet to agree terms.

Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield that he feels a final decision on the club’s future is close, and expressed a desire to know what budget he has to work with when he seeks additions to his squad in the new year.

“I believe we need clarity and I like to think we’re coming up to that point now, one way or the other,” he said. “[Chief executive] Stephen Bettis has kept me in the loop as much as he can, and with whatever he knows - we’re on the same page with that.

'The prize is big'

“When it does happen, or if it doesn’t happen, definitely for January we need to strengthen and feel that especially after losing Arblaster, it’s important that when [we get injuries] we have a strong bench and strong group so I’d like to think we’ll be able to do some business in January.

“We still have two loan slots available which is good, and promising, and if there is an opportunity to do that I do think the chemistry of the group is really important.

“We don’t need four, five or six but we certainly need two or three to bolster the group.

“I like to think we’ll be given the opportunity to do that because the prize is big at the end of the season. Into January and after Christmas it will take its toll and the strongest squads will come through and if we have the ability to do something it will definitely strengthen us."