Chris Wilder drops Sheffield United transfer claim involving new owners as Southampton FC agreement nears | OneFootball

Chris Wilder has thanked the Blades' owners for their work in the transfer window

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has hailed the club's recruitment staff and new owners for their work in the transfer market, with a return for Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz nearing completion, according to fresh reports.

The Blades' takeover from Prince Abdullah was finally completed at the back-end of December following extensive talks, with American-based consortium COH Sports - headed up by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy - taking the club into fresh hands amid a race for promotion back to the Premier League at the very first time of asking.

Rosen and Eltoukhy completed their joint-purchase of the club at the right time and will be looking to back Chris Wilder as he bids to get United out of the Championship. They're currently third in the table at the time of writing, but are just a single point behind league leaders Leeds United and would've been top had they not been hit with a two-point deduction before the start of the campaign.

Wilder's side are back in action on Thursday evening when they welcome Championship rivals Cardiff City to Bramall Lane in a third-round FA Cup tie, and they could have fresh bodies in the building for the visit of the Bluebirds.

Chris Wilder's message to Sheffield United owners amid Ben Brereton Diaz, Southampton FC transfer development

Unsurprisingly, given their league position and fresh ownership, Sheffield United have been linked with a host of names just days into the winter window.

Reports have linked the likes of Grant Hanley, Hamza Choudhury and Andrew Omobamidele with moves to South Yorkshire and there have been developments in the deal to return Brereton Diaz, who spent the second-half of the previous season on loan with United in the Premier League and is now set to join imminently after being identified as Wilder's chief target.

Busy times are afoot at the Lane, and Wilder took time to show his gratitude to the club - and specifically the owners - for "working overtime" and offering support.

When asked if any signings will be completed in time for the clash against Omer Riza's Cardiff later this week, Wilder told The Star: "Potentially. We’re working overtime.

"There’s incredible support from the owners and Stephen Bettis [chief executive officer], who are also working overtime. They see what everyone else is seeing [about the squad’s strength] and the supporters are seeing it as well."

Ben Brereton-Diaz signing is a statement of intent from Sheffield United

It's perfectly clear why Wilder appears such a happy man at the minute - the new owners are backing him and looking to make an instant splash in order to help the Blades straight back to the big time.

They'll have an even better chance at completing a swift return to the promised land should Brereton-Diaz rejoin, which now appears imminent.

The Chilean forward excelled last season in spite of the side's dismal relegation from the top-flight, scoring six goals from 16 appearances. It hasn't worked out quite so favourably at Southampton, whom he joined permanently from Villarreal after the conclusion of his loan with United, as Brereton-Diaz is yet to open his account, though his talents are proven not only at Bramall Lane but also in the Championship.

United's need for a left-sided wide operator capable of coming in as an inside forward is well-documented, with central attacking midfield duo Gus Hamer and Callum O'Hare having been deployed there for much of the campaign.

It hasn't hindered Wilder's side too much, of course, but there is the feeling that a more natural fit in that role is the one missing piece in the promotion puzzle and Brereton-Diaz ticks that box.