"He’s proven at this level" - David Brooks return to Sheffield United touted in transfer debate | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit has picked his ideal signing before the 30 August deadline

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield United are set for a busy end to the transfer window with speculation surrounding incomings and outgoings at the club.

The Blades have until 30 August to finalise any remaining transfer plans before the market closes until the start of 2025.

Chris Wilder will be hoping to build a team capable of earning automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Sheffield United have earned four points from a possible six in their opening two games, beating Preston North End before drawing with QPR last weekend.

According to Football Insider, Anel Ahmedhodzic is being monitored by Wolves, but the Championship side could also explore new signings of their own before next week’s deadline.

Sheffield United signing claim made

FLW’s Sheffield United fan pundit Jimmy, from Blades Ramble, believes that David Brooks would be the ideal signing for the club that isn’t just a direct replacement for any sales.

He has claimed that the playmaker returning to Bramall Lane would add great depth and versatility to the team’s attacking options.

“This is a tricky one in terms of who could I have, if I could only have one player,” Jimmy told Football League World.

“I think we’ve had a fantastic window, I think we’ve cleared out a lot of the old guard, which has been sad but necessary.

“I think those wheels should have turned slightly earlier if I’m honest, and we wouldn’t have such a huge overhaul of players.

“I also think the players we’ve brought in will grow with us.

“And if the window shut today, I’d be pleased with what we’ve done.

“So if we take out the reactionary stuff that I think might happen.

“Say for example, if [Anel] Ahmedhodzic leaves then we would obviously need a direct replacement, so if we take out those replacements, I think we need another striker, but I also think it’s going to be tricky to get somebody in now that we’re playing one up top with Kieffer Moore.

“Somebody like a Tom Cannon will want to come and play football.

“So the player I would go for if I had my choice — and, as I say, taking out central defender for replacing people and things — I would say David Brooks.

“David Brooks returning to Sheffield United, he could anchor either that left-hand side, maybe swap over with [Jesurun] Rak-Sakyi, could even occupy the 10, Gus Hamer could drop back alongside Ollie Arblaster, obviously Vini Souza is still there as well.

“It gives us options, it gives us real, genuine width and real attacking threat from both sides.

“He’s proven at this level, we saw how good he was for Southampton last season.

“I think David Brooks would be the one that a lot of Sheffield United fans would romantically want us to go for.”

David Brooks’ Sheffield United stint

Brooks came through the Sheffield United academy system before breaking into the first team squad during the 2017/18 campaign.

He made 30 appearances in the Championship that year, including nine starts, before making the switch to Bournemouth (all stats from Fbref).

However, he has struggled for game time since making his return to football after a lengthy spell out through illness.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of the previous season on loan with Southampton, helping them gain promotion to the top flight through the play-offs, with two goals and five assists from 17 regular league appearances.

Brooks return would be great for Sheffield United

Brooks was not in the matchday squad for Bournemouth’s opening game of the new Premier League season, so a departure could yet be on the cards this month.

The winger played very well in the Championship last year, and deserves to be playing regularly.

A move to Sheffield United would be a great moment for his career, to come full circle and come back to Bramall Lane.