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Mega bucks only as Blades stand firm
SHEFFIELD United remain adamant that only colossal bids will be considered for the most influential members of Kevin Blackwell's squad as they attempt to plot a course back to the Premier League.
Kyle Naughton and Matthew Kilgallon - half of a back four which drove the club to within 90 minutes of promotion last season - boast plenty of admirers after delivering a series of commanding displays en route to the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Although United would prefer to keep both at Bramall Lane, they are acutely aware that football's natural order means they could attract offers which are impossible to turn down.
Negotiations with Kilgallon - believed to be a target of Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers - are scheduled to intensify this week as Blackwell looks to persuade the central defender to agree a new long-term contract.
The United manager insisted on Friday that he remains "optimistic" the 25-year-old will sign a fresh deal after earlier talks with his representatives failed to achieve the desired result.
But Blackwell will be concerned by reports yesterday that Manchester City have joined Aston Villa and Everton in the hunt for Naughton's services as interest in the youngster continues to grow.
An official approach has yet to materialise, but the Eastlands outfit could test United's resolve by using Ched Evans - one of United's main priorities in the transfer market - as leverage.
Blackwell, who returned to his desk this morning after a break, has already captured Watford midfielder Lee Williamson while Kyel Reid, previously of West Ham, is expected to be unveiled when he completes a medical.
Blackwell will be alerted by claims that Andrew Surman, who was the subject of a concrete enquiry by United earlier this month, could be sacrificed by Southampton in order to meet their salary obligations.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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