Blades net ex-Rangers keeper Foderingham on three-year deal
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder insists that the signing of Wes Foderingham does not mean that the Blades have given up hope of keeping Dean Henderson at the club next season.
Foderingham arrived on a free transfer on Friday following his exit from Rangers in May to bolster the goalkeeping ranks at the Blades.
Henderson has been on loan at Bramall Lane from Manchester United for the last two seasons and has excelled. Now, the two clubs are in discussions over a third loan spell.
And the arrival of Foderingham does not affect that.
“Dean and Manchester United know our views on that. We have already started talking to the player and Manchester United,” Wilder said.
“It is their decision and the boy’s decision.
“We would love to extend that loan period for another season and when we get the news on that decision we will let you know.
“Wes was available and we needed to strengthen that department.
“He became available, a free transfer and a three-year deal.
There will be a couple more changes going forward in that department.”
Foderingham’s signature is an indication of how the Blades will operate in the transfer window this summer.
The Blades spent around £22 million on record signing Sander Berge in January, but Wilder has warned against
anything similar happening as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will have to be free transfers. The club will be talking about that – and budgets – and where we are, going forward,” Wilder said.
His Steel City side are still in the hunt for a Europa League place going into their final two Premier League games, starting with a home tie against Everton tomorrow evening.
Scotland midfielder John Fleck is likely to return to action after being out with a groin strain.
Referee for the match, Stuart Attwell, caused controversy on his last visit to Bramall Lane when Jonjo Shelvey scored for visitors, Newcastle United.
United stopped for an offside flag from the assistant referee but the referee waved played on and Shelvey ran through to put the result beyond doubt.
It went to VAR but the goal was given.
United finish the campaign with an away tie at Southampton.
Meanwhile, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident he will get the necessary backing from the club to adequately strengthen this summer.
A run of no wins in four matches has highlighted the significant deficiencies in the squad, while injuries to centre-backs Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina could see 18-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite receive his full Premier League debut after just two substitute appearances.
Ancelotti has already been linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but knows that he needs other reinforcements and is confident of receiving the backing to get them.
“I have an opinion about the squad. It doesn’t matter that we are not in Europe, it doesn’t matter we didn’t play well in the last two or three games,” he said.
“The opinion of the squad is pretty clear in this moment, but we want to finish well the last two games and then be focused to try to improve the squad for the next season,” he said.
“At this moment we are looking for the quality of player we need to improve the squad next season.
“When the season is finished I think we will talk together to find the right solution for this.
“I think the board is going to support me, the team. We have a similar idea that the team has to improve.”
Ancelotti heads into tomorrow’s 6pm kick-off against Sheffield United with only one fit centre-back after more bad news on the injury front.
“All three (Holgate, Mina and midfielder Fabian Delph) are out,” said the Toffees boss.“There is only 10 days and they will not be able to recover before the end of this season.”