Revealed: Sheffield United's stance on relegation clauses in contracts of new signings

United will not risk being stung by the wages of a high-profile signing, if disaster ever strikes and they lose their place in the top-flight in the future.

The Blades have seen fellow clubs hampered by the earnings of players who have signed deals without clauses, reducing their wages on relegation.

And chief executive Stephen Bettis revealed: “The initial wage demands is the first challenge because we’ve got a structure we’re not going to rip up.

“But every one of our players has got a relegation clause and we won’t sign a player without one.

“We have had quite lengthy discussions with players and agents about it but we’ve not lost a player to date because of it.”

The issue is not likely to be one United face any time soon, however. They face Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, after completing their first winter break, placed sixth in the Premier League table and a point behind Tottenham Hotspur.

United’s success this season has proved problematic in some ways, however. Manager Chris Wilder and Bettis have found that the asking price for targets vastly increases because of United’s Premier League status.

“All of a sudden we’ve shown a bit of interest in a player and the value has doubled, trebled,” Wilder said.

“Steve has had huge experience in and outside football of negotiating so it was over to him and I think he enjoys it! I’m sure I would have cost the club a lot more!”