Harbouring dreams of promotion at the start of the season, it's safe to say that 2025/26 did not play out as anticipated for both West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United.

While Chris Wilder got the Blades back on track after sacking Ruben Selles early into the campaign, they ultimately did not have enough to challenge for the play-offs, finishing 13 points behind sixth-placed Hull City.

For the Baggies, they had their own managerial troubles, very nearly suffering relegation to League One. Supporters will thank their lucky stars for James Morrison who engineered quite the turnaround after the winless run that Eric Ramsay's tenure brought to the Hawthorns.

So, what does the future hold for both sides heading into the summer?

What Sheffield United and West Brom need to do this summer

In 2026/27, the Blades and Albion should start the season with more stability. Wilder has been here and done it all with Sheffield United before and while Morrison is enjoying his first managerial job, if they can start the new campaign like they ended this one, they will no doubt be on track to challenge for promotion.

Yet, that will not happen without a change in personnel. For the Baggies, it's a case of improving in the final third with all of Karlan Grant, Daryl Dike and Josh Maja currently poised to leave on a free transfer. It would be a surprise to see any of them handed new deals, considering they combined for just 12 goals between the three of them.

For Wilder, the issues were at the other end of the pitch. They actually scored 18 more goals than West Brom did in 2025/26, but simply couldn't keep the ball out of the back of the net.

They shipped 66 times, more than the likes of Oxford United, West Brom, Blackburn, Charlton and Stoke, who were all at the wrong end of the table.

Despite that, the first real rumours of the summer have pointed the Yorkshire side in the direction of improving their forward line.

Sheffield United and West Brom must pursue Preston North End star

Last week, reports linked United with a wild move for Ipswich Town's Jack Clarke. However, with the Tractor Boys bound for the Premier League, it would be a surprise if the former Leeds and Sunderland man left.

Still, if Kieran McKenna's side strengthened significantly, then it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Clarke takes his leave in pursuit of more first-team minutes.

Perhaps a more realistic option could be Lewis Dobbin. Reports from The Star suggest that the 23-year-old is a player of 'interest' to the Blades alongside Clarke, noting that they could make a move over the summer.

While West Brom are not linked in the report, it would make a huge amount of sense if Morrison's men rivalled Sheffield United to bring him in.

Albion fans may not remember Dobbin too fondly. They had the player on loan in 2024/25, but he endured a dismal time in the Midlands, failing to score or assist in 18 matches.

However, a season on and the Aston Villa man is a completely different player. He enjoyed a captivating loan spell at Preston this season where he showcased himself as one of the most menacing attackers in the second tier.

A winger by trade, the Lancashire outfit fielded Dobbin as a centre-forward and were rewarded with goal contributions aplenty. He netted 11 goals in all competitions, also providing eight assists for his teammates. Three of those goals came in his last five Championship outings of the campaign, notably scoring against Wilder's side on the penultimate weekend.

To put those numbers into context, he finished just two goals behind Patrick Bamford, but ultimately demonstrated himself to be a more rounded striker. Bamford only registered one assist. Besides that, he outscored everyone at the Blades and registered as many assists as Callum O'Hare.

At the Baggies, Dobbin would be a clear upgrade on their current options. Truth be told, that is not hard.

Their top scorer, Aune Heggebo, only found the net on ten occasions and picked up just four assists. The Preston loanee happened to outscore everyone at the Hawthorns and was only one assist behind Mikey Johnstone's tally of nine.

He may not have set the world alight on his first visit to West Brom but he's not a very different beast now. He'd represent a mighty fine signing for any Championship side this summer.

Valued at just £3.5m via Transfermarkt, another loan spell might be on the horizon for Dobbin but don't be surprised to see him leave permanently. He's not getting in the side over the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins at Villa Park. At the age of 23, he needs to continue playing regular first-team football.