Vinicius Souza’s move to Wolfsburg is seemingly almost there. The Blades signed Souza in the summer of 2023. He was one of ten signings that came to Bramall Lane that summer.

Although with his expected departure, only two of those ten will still be with the club. Gustavo Hamer and Tom Davies.

The question is, where are the other seven now?

Cameron Archer

Cameron Archer, 23, began his career with Aston Villa. His most impressive spell for the Villans was his four goals in two games in the 2021-2022 EFL Cup.

It was from Villa that the Blades signed Archer on a permanent deal, reportedly for £18 million. Although, it was likely his 17 goal contributions in 22 Championship games spell at Middlesbrough that sold the Blades on his potential.

In total, Archer managed four goals and one assist for the Blades in the Premier League. Despite, a promising start with a debut goal against Everton at Bramall Lane. He could’ve had a debut brace if not for Jordan Pickford. With the England goalkeeper’s back scoring an own goal to send the Blades in front.

Archer is currently on the south coast. Despite, returning to Villa after what was a glorified loan with the Blades. His move to Southampton for a reported fee of £15 million plus add-ons saw him collect a second unfortunate relegation of his career. However, in fairness to Archer neither could’ve likely been prevented regardless of his form.

Auston Trusty

Auston Trusty, 26, the USA international began his career with Philadelphia Union before moving on to the Colorado Rapids. He left the Rapids for Arsenal, but never made a single Gunners appearance.

His loan from Arsenal to Birmingham City likely put him on the Blades radar. His 44 Championship appearances led to four goals and two assists. Plus, he received Birmingham City’s Player of the Season award.

Trusty joined the Blades from the Gunners on a four-year deal. He played 32 Premier League games as the Blades went down with 104 goals conceded.

Luckily for Trusty who left the Blades in the summer of 2024. Last season was far better. Not only did he score in the EFL Cup for the Blades. He moved to Celtic and won the SPL and the League Cup. He played 22 games as Celtic were named SPL Champions as well as getting 10 games in the Champions League. One of the best moves on the list.

Benie Traore

Could Benie Traore have done it in the Championship? I guess we’ll never know. The Ivorian international joined the Blades as the Swedish league top goal scorer. After 12 goals in 14 Allsvenskan games.

His time at Bramall Lane was short-lived, he played nine times and got no goals. Before being loaned to Nantes where he managed an assist.

He left the Blades for Basel where his shooting boots came back out the kitbag. He got 13 goals and eight assists helping to fire Basel to the Swiss League title. As well as scoring a goal in their run to winning the Swiss Cup. If Basel can get through the qualifiers, he’ll be a Champions League player.

With the stats he’s put up since moving to Switzerland. As well as only being 22. Traore has likely popped up on the Blades AI scouting system.

Anis Slimane

After over 100 games and a Superliga, Anis Slimane moved to South Yorkshire in 2023. The former Brondby midfielder played 15 times in the Premier League.

Before leaving the Blades he scored in the infamous game against Wrexham. Not infamous for any massive drama. More because it’s the same game Auston Trusty got his only Blades goal. A farewell game for two short-term Blades.

He left the club later in the month on a loan to Norwich City. A move made permanent in January. Slimane reunited with Johannes Hoff Thorup. As he made 33 appearances getting two goals and two assists for the Canaries last season. Ironically, his final Blades’ game was against Norwich.

Luke Thomas

The first of the loanees on the list. Luke Thomas joined the Blades from Leicester. The former FA Cup winner with the Foxes played just 12 Premier League games for the Blades.

He returned to the King Power in January before being loaned out to Middlesbrough where he played a further 12 league games.

Last season, he was back with the Foxes playing 14 times in the Premier League. As he unfortunately saw a second consecutive Premier League relegation. At least for his sake, he was down the road at the Riverside when Newcastle completed the first one.

James McAtee

James McAtee got his first taste of consistent senior football at Bramall Lane. In his first season, he got nine goals and five assists in 43 games across all competitions. As well as securing promotion to the Premier League.

He continued his journey with the Blades in a less successful season for the team in the Premier League. But, for McAtee, he proved he was capable of making the step up. He scored three goals and got three assists in the Premier League. As well as scoring the decisive wonder goal for the win against Brentford.

Last season, he returned to City getting 7 goals in all competitions as well as a first Champions League goal. Plus, he led England U21s as captain to the U21 Euros title getting two assists in the final.

The current rumours suggest he could be following Souza to the Bundesliga. With Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen among the interested parties.

Yasser Larouci

After beginning his career on Merseyside with Liverpool. He left the Reds for Troyes. After his most consistent season in Ligue 1 in 2022-2023 playing 30 times. He came on loan to Bramall Lane.

Larouci played just 11 times in the Premier League and once in each of the domestic cups. With the Blades ultimately not taking up the option to make the move permanent.

Last season, he made another loan move to Championship Watford. A move that has been more successful for both parties. Larouci has been a decent Championship defender for the Hornets. He contributed three assists for Watford in 39 Championship games. He has now returned back to Troyes in Ligue 1.

Takeaways

Ultimately, the Blades last summer transfer window as a Premier League was a poor one. It led to a lot of incomings that were short-lived. In fairness to all the players, the squad itself was clearly not able to compete at Premier League level.

It seems most of them have gone on to happier situations. With Trusty and Traore making great strides at Celtic and Basel respectively.

Souza is a reminder that players who didn’t have the best first season can turn their careers around. His second season at Bramall Lane will see him as a big miss next season. Perhaps, some of these players could have been but we’ll never know.

Hopefully, Hamer makes his stay at the club more long-term. Whilst, Tom Davies deserves a lot of credit for his role in the winter period of last season that kept the Blades in the promotion hunt.