Sheffield United have established themselves as serious title contenders in the Championship following last season's relegation from the Premier League, and could be set for an immediate top-flight return.
Blades supporters have been treated to some excellent results and performances from their side this term, such as last month's derby day victory over Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday, and a win over fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland.
But while the South Yorkshire outfit have been performing so well, and could land a spot in next season's Premier League, current top-flight clubs could be eyeing up some of the biggest talents in Chris Wilder's squad, with the January transfer window just around the corner.
Football League World takes a look at three players the Blades could receive offers for in January, and could even be fearful of losing once the transfer window opens:
Gus Hamer
Gustavo Hamer
Gus Hamer is arguably the Blades' biggest star, and has excelled at Bramall Lane ever since joining from Coventry City during the summer of 2023.
The Dutchman was a real asset for his former club, and produced an incredible return of 11 goals and 10 assists for the Sky Blues during the 2022/23 Championship season, helping the West Midlands side reach the play-off final.
While the Blades struggled in the top-flight last term, Hamer was a bright spark who notched four goals and six assists in the Premier League.
Gus Hamer 2023/24 Premier League stats
Appearances
Starts
Pass accuracy %
Chances created
Expected assists (xA)
Assists
Shots
Shots on target
Expected goals (xG)
Goals
He has continued to demonstrate his lethal eye for both goals and assists this season, so perhaps it would not be a surprise if a top tier outfit came knocking for his services at the turn of the year.
The Sheffield Star revealed that the Blades turned down a bid of around £13m for Hamer from Leeds United last summer, and as per the Yorkshire Evening Post, Wilder said he didn't know what the Whites were thinking when tabling that sum in an attempt to land the 27-year-old.
While the Bramall Lane side were capable of turning down interest in one of their star men from a Championship promotion rival, it could prove more difficult for them to stave off bids from Premier League clubs, should they come knocking in January.
Femi Seriki
MixCollage-27-Jun-2024-10-35-AM-5341
Femi Seriki's first appearance for the Blades came during the 2020/21 Premier League season, but the current campaign marks the first season in which the young defender has established himself as a regular first team player for Wilder's men.
He has endured four separate loan spells away from Bramall Lane, with a variety of different clubs, such as Belgian top-flight outfit Beerschot, and more recently, non-league Boston United.
Seriki spent the latter half of last season on loan with Rotherham United, then of the Championship, for whom he made 10 league appearances, and is now proving his worth at second tier level once more with the Blades.
While he has made more appearances from the bench than as a starting 11 player, he has shown his class this term, and injected plenty of energy into his side's performance as a half-time substitute during their aforementioned victory over bitter rivals Wednesday.
Seriki is usually a right-back, but proved his versatility when he operated as a central defender during the Blades' recent 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
While he is still establishing himself in Blades colours, he could be an attractive acquisition for top-flight clubs, as he seemingly has bags of potential at just 22.
Sydie Peck
Sydie Peck for Sheffield United
The biggest praise that former England Under 17 international Sydie Peck can be given is that his recent presence in Wilder's midfield has ensured that the South Yorkshire club have not missed their usual metronome, Ollie Arblaster, amid his ACL injury.
It was during the Steel City Derby that Arblaster had to be substituted due to his injury at half-time, but Peck came on in his place and performed admirably well.
Since then, the 20-year-old has not looked back, and has gone from strength to strength while he has enjoyed an extended spell in Wilder's starting 11.
He has been one of the Blades' key men in recent weeks, while his strong performances in the middle of the park at a young age could soon beckon Premier League interest.
If the Bramall Lane outfit are to lose Peck during the upcoming transfer window, it would come as a major blow given Arblaster's long-term injury lay off.
Copy of Untitled (3)-4 Related
It's easy to forget Sheffield United sourced promotion-winning striker from Aston Villa
Scott Hogan had the briefest of spells at Bramall Lane, as the Blades got back to the top flight in 2019