Michael Keane signs: The dream Sheffield United XI once the transfer window closes | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at what could be a dream starting 11 for Sheffield United come the end of the transfer window

Sheffield United are vying to make an immediate Premier League return following their relegation from the top-flight last season, and find themselves in the thick of a Championship title race more than half-way through the campaign.

The January transfer window offers both the Blades, and their automatic promotion rivals, a key opportunity to bolster their ranks ahead of the business end of the campaign.

Blades boss Chris Wilder revealed that he has targeted five potential signings for the current window, who he expects will all be joining the club.

Meanwhile, Ben Brereton Diaz, signed on loan from Southampton with an option to buy, became the first addition the South Yorkshire club have made since the takeover completed by COH Sports last month.

The Bramall Lane later acquired the services of striker Tom Cannon from Leicester City, who had been on loan with Stoke City, in a deal worth £10m.

Following those notable additions, Football League World takes a look at what could be a dream starting 11 for the Blades come the end of the transfer window, based on a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Goalkeeper: Michael Cooper

Shot-stopper Michael Cooper has barely put a foot wrong for Wilder's men, and should remain between the sticks at Bramall Lane for this season and beyond.

Right-back: Alfie Gilchrist

Fellow summer signing Alfie Gilchrist has proven himself as a top quality Championship right-back since arriving on loan from Chelsea last August.

Centre-back: Anel Ahmedhodzic

Anel Ahmedhodzic has been a class act for the Blades ever since joining from Swedish outfit Malmö back in 2022, and the current campaign has been no exception.

Centre-back: Michael Keane

Despite the trustworthy presence of the aforementioned Ahmedhodzic, Wilder and co are still in need of bolstering their backline, after the impressive Harry Souttar saw his loan spell from Leicester City cut short due to a long-term injury.

The Blades have enquired about the availability of Everton defender Michael Keane, according to the Sheffield Star, while his many years of Premier League experience would be a clear nod to COH Sports' commitment to bringing top-flight football to Bramall Lane on a consistent basis.

Left-back: Harrison Burrows

Harrison Burrows has been nothing short of a revelation since moving to South Yorkshire from Peterborough United last summer, and has taken to Championship football like a duck to water, while establishing his impressive qualities both in attack and defence.

Defensive midfielder: Hamza Choudhury

In a similar manner to that of his defence following Souttar's setback, Wilder's midfield took a serious blow back in November when key man Ollie Arblaster suffered an ACL injury.

The Blades set their sights on Leicester's Hamza Choudhury, and he could be a vital addition for the run-in, as he helped the Foxes on their way to winning the Championship title just last campaign.

Defensive midfielder: Vini Souza

As well as Arblaster, Vini Souza is another Blades midfielder who has suffered from injury setbacks this season, but Wilder confirmed his recent return to fitness, which could be vital for the South Yorkshire side as they look to clinch the Championship title.

Right-midfield: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

The aforementioned addition of Brereton Diaz will likely mean that former Coventry City man Gus Hamer will ply his trade in his more conventional 'number 10' role, so that the Chile international can occupy the left-hand side.

In turn, Callum O'Hare will have to be sanctioned from Wilder's lineup so that Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Brereton Diaz can act as traditional widemen.

Rak-Sakyi has produced several exciting performances this campaign, such as his exploits against Luton Town, when he scored a match-winning brace back in October, and is thoroughly deserving of a spot on the right-hand side.

No.10: Gus Hamer

Gus Hamer is already enjoying a strong Championship campaign, and regularly notches goals and assists despite often fulfilling a previously unfamiliar left-midfield role so far this term.

Re-locating the Dutchman to his traditionally preferred role would enable him to simply wreak havoc, while supported by the equally talented duo of Brereton Diaz and Rak-Sakyi.

Wilder will have a tough choice, week in, week out, whether to select the 27-year-old or O'Hare, but Hamer's supreme passing range could likely see him given the nod more often than not.

Left-midfield: Ben Brereton Diaz

After becoming the Blades' first new signing of the window, the 25-year-old will likely play a key role for the Bramall Lane side as they look to clinch automatic promotion, especially after impressing while on loan with the club in the Premier League last term.

Striker: Tom Cannon

Exciting new signing Cannon could be the man who gets the goals which can fire the South Yorkshire club all the way to the Premier League.

During a loan spell with Stoke in the Championship earlier this season, he scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the Potters, despite the fact that the Staffordshire side are struggling at the wrong end of the table.