Wilson battles to keep Blades stars

The Blades have a number of players wanted by Championship clubs and are still under pressure to balance the books as a result of relegation to League One last season.

However, after talks with chairman Kevin McCabe and chief executive Julian Winter, Wilson says the Blades will not have to sell players on the cheap and also have plans to strengthen.

Defenders Matt Lowton and Harry Maguire, midfielders Stephen Quinn and Nick Montgomery, and striker Ched Evans have all been linked with clubs higher up the league but, as yet, the Blades have received no firm offers.

Having guided the club to third in the League One table, Wilson is desperate to keep his team together but, equally, is understanding of the financial situation at Bramall Lane.

“Our financial situation is common knowledge and if big enough bids come in there will have to be discussions,” he admitted. “But we are not looking to sell and I am not saying we are actively going to get rid of people.

“I don’t want to lose any of my players. It just depends what is on the table. If people are going, they will only go for the proper market value. We won’t be letting people come in and take our players on the cheap.”

The Blades, who have debts over £32m, recorded losses of £13.6m last season and the club’s estimated £15m wage bill is one of the highest in League One.

An immediate return to the Championship would be the best way to reduce any financial pressure but the Blades also have to consider the unwanted possibility of not going up.

“We don’t want to let anyone go at this moment in time because we are doing so well. But the finances of this club dictate everything and the club needs to be sustainable,” said Wilson.

“We just don’t know what is going to happen. There have been no offers yet. Even if everyone stays, we want to bring one or two new players on board. We will try and do that and, if anything happens after that, we will take it in our stride.”

Wilson insists that none of the club’s prize assets have asked to leave and is not ruling out the possibility of new signings before this weekend’s FA Cup third round tie against Salisbury.

Left-back Marcus Williams completed a permanent switch from Reading on New Year’s Day and the Blades are in talks with Blackpool striker Billy Clarke and Rangers duo Kyle Hutton and John Fleck.

“No one here is unsettled or has said they want to leave,” said Wilson. “We are all committed to getting us back to where we were last season and all the players are focused on what they need to do.

“We are trying to do one or two things but whether they come to fruition is hard to say. Our priority will be signing goalscorers because any team with a goalscorer has a better chance of winning promotion. We are looking to get players in to enhance the squad and take us through the second part of the season.”

Teenager Maguire has been watched by Premier League club Newcastle United while Lowton is a target for Cardiff City and Burnley.

Wilson has always made it clear that the Blades will fight ‘tooth and nail’ to keep Lowton but is equally bullish about interest in Maguire.

“I am sure that plenty of clubs are watching Harry because of the form he’s in,” said Wilson. “But Harry won’t be going on the cheap that’s for sure. Whoever comes in will have to pay the full market value.”

Welsh international Evans, who cost £3m from Manchester City three years ago, has scored 16 goals this season but is also awaiting trial for rape.

Blackpool striker Clarke spent a month on loan with the Blades earlier this season but has been out of favour since going back to Bloomfield Road,

“There is a possibility of Billy returning,” said Wilson. “He did very well here and enjoyed his time with us.”

The Blades failed in a bid to sign both Scotland Under-21 players Hutton and Fleck from Rangers in August when, despite agreeing terms, the necessary paper work was not lodged with the Football League before the transfer deadline.

Ironically, Blackpool are now trying to hijack the deal for Fleck but Wilson said: “Hopefully, the fact that we were in for him a while ago will put us in the box seat. You’d like to think so anyway.

“It is a case of waiting to see exactly what Rangers want to do. We’ve spoken with Rangers but it’s not a done deal yet and we’re not the only club in for him. If they decide to sell him, we’ll be out of the market – but if it’s a loan then, yes, it’s something we would like to do.”

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