Sheffield United's summer transfer priorities and where Paul Heckingbottom must strengthen

Sheffield United are facing an important summer in the transfer market. The Blades will see four players return to their parent clubs following the completion of their loan spells, while there could also be further room in the squad depending on the outcome of contract talks with those who have deals expiring.

Billy Sharp is edging close to a new one after meeting with the club's hierarchy earlier in the month, but David McGoldrick, Ben Osborn, Lys Mousset, Luke Freeman, Jack Robinson, Adam Davies and Chris Basham are still to learn their fate. Loan players Charlie Goode, Ben Davies, Morgan Gibbs-White and Conor Hourihane will head back to Brentford, Liverpool, Wolves and Aston Villa respectively, while Filip Uremovic is only on a short-term contract after becoming a temporary free agent and will return to Rubin Kazan, unless an extension is granted to allow foreign players in Russia to further suspend their contracts.

With Paul Heckingbottom preferring two players per position, at least six could be needed in the summer. Here's a look at the areas Sheffield United may need to address regardless of what division they find themselves in next season.

Wes Foderingham is the current number one, with Adam Davies and Jake Eastwood behind him. Davies, who had his contract cancelled at Stoke to allow him to move to Bramall Lane in January, is a free agent in the summer but United could look to satisfy this position by offering him a long-term contract. If they don't, United will need a new shot-stopper. They were recently linked with FC Arouca stopper Victor Braga, who is out of contract in the summer.

With Charlie Goode returning to Brentford, it will leave only Chris Basham in this position. The popular defender is one of