Sheffield United stole a march on their rivals when they signed England under-21 international Aaron Ramsdale, manager Chris Wilder claims

Ramsdale became the third most expensive player in United’s 131 year history when he returned to Bramall Lane earlier this month, following a 43 month spell on the south coast.

Although The Star understands United made an initial £10m downpayment to secure the England under-21 international’s services - around 12 times the amount they initially sold him for - Wilder believes the investment Bramall Lane’s hierarchy have made will prove a shrewd decision given the player’s potential.

Crucially, he believes, swooping now has enabled United to acquire Ramsdale for a fraction of his true value - repeating a trick they performed when Sander Berge, a £22m purchase from Genk, was unveiled during the January transfer window. Napoli, who were caught unawares by United’s determination to push through a deal mid-season, had been preparing to submit a similar offer for the Norwegian this summer; with the ensuing auction likely to have put the midfielder out of Wilder’s price range.

“The timing was key for him (Ramsdale),” Wilder, the United manager, said. “We have secured a fabulous goalkeeper who has had a season at the highest level, who will get better and stronger and who wants to come home.

“I’m delighted with his attitude, I think the world of the boy, and he’s going to be a big player for us next season.”

Ramsdale, who progressed through United’s youth system before heading to the south coast, made his first appearance for Wilder’s side since putting pen to paper on a long term contract during Tuesday’s friendly against Dundee United, which was abandoned due to adverse weather conditions.

United are scheduled to spend the rest of the week in Edinburgh, returning to England for meetings with Derby County and Preston North End ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ trip to Yorkshire on September 14.

“Aaron’s a good player now and he’s only going to get better,” Wilder said. “We know the boy and he knows us too, which is only going to help that.”

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