Former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder turned down several recommended signings from the club’s recruitment department, according to reports in the local media.

Tomas Soucek, who ended up moving from Slavia Prague to West Ham last January, Brighton pair Leandro Trossard and Moises Caicedo (who was linked with Manchester United and Chelsea), were all identified by scouts.

On top of those players, there were two less realistic targets on the list. Victor Osimhen, who joined Napoli for an initial €70m last summer, and his replacement at Lille, Jonathan David, were also looked at.

Timothy Castagne, who moved from Atalanta to Leicester in September, and Genk’s Colombian centre-half Jhon Lucumi are the final two players that were reportedly rejected by Wilder.

It is surprising that these names have been revealed publicly but it could be the case that Blades owner Prince Abdullah is trying to get some flak off his back for Wilder’s departure.