Chris Wilder hopeful Sheffield United will have 'two or three' new signings by Wednesday

So far goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Wes Foderingham are the only additions the Blades have been able to make to a squad which confounded expectations by finishing ninth in last season's Premier League.

Wilder has said he wants five more new faces.

After Friday's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw with Preston North End he was optimistic that at least two will arrive before the opening game of the campaign, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 14.

“We’ve got bids in,” he confirmed. “There’s a process we go through - finding out if people are available, then going to the club - we don’t put silly bids in or play about at it. We put in what we believe are serious offers.

“There’s two or three on the table now and we’re down the line with those. I’m hoping two, maybe three, will be in by Tuesday or Wednesday when the internationals finish.”

Forwards Rhian Brewster, of Liverpool, and Oliver Burke, of West Bromwich Albion, have been linked this summer. Not that Wilder is restricting his sights to British-based players. He has also been linked with Brugge's Emmanuel Dennis.

Wilder also wants greater competition at wing-back, but having shown an interest in Reading's John Swift earlier in the window, he now seems content with his central midfield options.

“I’m happy with what we’ve got in the middle and one of the lads we’re looking to bring in can also play there,” he said.

“We’re talking about using the loan market, here and foreign, too.”

The transfer window closes at 11pm on October 5, although players can be signed from the Football League until 5pm on the 16th.

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