Sheffield United will know they can sell star for more than Osula and Trusty combined: View | OneFootball

Sheffield United could earn more than £20 million from their next major player sale

Sheffield United staved off transfer interest for Ollie Arblaster during the summer transfer window despite links with a move to Brighton.

According to Alan Nixon, the Seagulls have been told they will need to pay at least £20 million in order to convince the Yorkshire outfit of a sale.

The likes of Auston Trusty and Will Osula were sold, earning the Blades important transfer fees amid some uncertainty over their financial situation.

According to Anthony Joseph, the Trustyjoined Celtic in a deal worth £6 million, with Newcastle United paying an initial fee of £10 million for Osula, as reported by The Northern Echo.

These were two important sales, and likely contributed to Sheffield United’s ability to hold onto Arblaster until at least January.

The youngster also has a contract until the summer of 2028, now giving the club a very strong negotiating position if more concrete interest comes forward.

Ollie Arblaster’s importance to Sheffield United

Arblaster broke into the first team squad last year, and earned 12 appearances in the Premier League as the team suffered a 20th place finish in the table (all stats from Fbref).

His performances have earned him a place in the starting lineup as a regular presence in Chris Wilder’s side.

The 20-year-old has started each of the team’s opening five games, and has even contributed two goals to his name.

If Sheffield United are to fight for automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, then Arblaster will be key.

This rise in prominence has also led to a rise in transfer value, in the event that he is sold in the near future.

Supporters won’t want to think about it now, but a club like Brighton showing interest already shows that his ceiling could reach the very top of club football.

It will prove difficult for the Blades to hold onto him if top Premier League clubs come knocking, but they can now surely charge more than Osula and Trusty combined in any potential sale.

If Sheffield United want to hold onto someone of Arblaster’s quality for longer than just this season, then the task is quite simple.

The club must contend for promotion to the Premier League amid stiff competition.

The likes of Leeds United, Burnley and Luton Town will be among the clubs eyeing a top two place, along with the strong early-season starters like Sunderland and West Brom.

Arblaster is still at the start of his career, and a year in the Championship is perhaps what he needs at this stage of his development.

But if Sheffield United remain in the second division for another campaign, then it will prove very difficult to keep holding off teams as high up the English football pyramid as Brighton.

His form in the early stages of the campaign is massively promising, and the signs are there that he can be a top Premier League player.

It will take a fee of £20 million to eventually sign him if he goes, which will see their recent sales of Osula and Trusty pale in comparison.