Paul Heckingbottom facing five Sheffield United transfer decisions ahead of summer rebuild

Paul Heckingbottom has a number of transfer decisions to make as he plans his squad rebuild for next season. The Blades boss revealed towards the end of the season that unless anything changed he would be targeting free transfers and loan signings.

He also explained that he has identified six/seven places in the squad that need filling and that he was keen to get started on that in a bid to ensure momentum from the end of the last campaign is not lost.

He added that in an ideal world he would love for those players to arrive early in the summer to ensure his side are ready when the new campaign kicks off at the end of July.

As well as identifying targets to bring into the club, he also has a number of decisions to make on players who are already here.

Here's a look at the main items on the manager's Sheffield United transfer to do list.

The most obvious one. The left wing-back has been on loan at Nottingham Forest and enjoyed an excellent campaign.

His season came to a premature end due to a groin injury but was among the best-rated wing-backs in the division. He recently revealed that he would be open to staying at the City Ground beyond the expiry of his loan.

Should Forest be keen on signing him permanently, they would have to meet United's valuation of him and it would certainly ask a question of the club.

Even if Forest were not keen on extending his stay, a decision is still needed in this department. Heckingbottom wants a squad of two players per position and with Enda Stevens entering the final year of his contract and the emergence of Rhys Norrington-Davies, Heckingbottom will have three left wing-backs.

The striker was deemed surplus to requirements in January and among the players Heckingbottom allowed out