Chris Wilder makes an honest admission over future of his Sheffield United star men he wants to keep at Bramall Lane

Many of Wilder's charges have placed themselves on the radar of United's Premier League rivals with their performances this season, since promotion last campaign.

United jetted to Dubai for their winter break earlier this week fifth in the table, two points behind Chelsea in fourth.

Wilder has opened contract talks with a number of players as he looks to reward them for their success so far.

And, speaking ahead of United's next game at home to Brighton a week on Saturday, Wilder admitted: "We want to keep hold our best players. The likes of Fleck, Egan, Lundstram and others.

“But we understand as well that, financially, we have a ceiling. That ceiling won’t be as big as other clubs in the Premier League. Our ambitious players might want to go and play for these big clubs. If players want to move, then negotiations start. We won’t hold them against their will but obviously it then becomes a case of 'what's the best price we can get'?

“At times they might be doubling and trebling salaries and at the moment, unfortunately, we aren’t in that ball-park yet."

John Lundstram, John Fleck and John Egan have all began talks with United over a new deal, while Enda Stevens - the Republic of Ireland left back, is also thought to have been invited to the negotiating table.