Sheffield United address speculation linking stars with moves away from Bramall Lane

Tottenham Hotspur, according to the rumour mill in London, are interested in signing Jack O’Connell. In the North-West, Everton have supposedly been casting flirtatious glances in John Egan’s direction while Enda Stevens, his fellow Republic of Ireland international, reportedly boasts more admirers than Sofia Vergara and Scarlett Johansson combined.

But speaking as his team prepares for Saturday’s visit to Millwall, where they will attempt to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2018, Chris Wilder confirmed no enquiries have been received for any of his leading players.

And, in a thinly disguised warning to those clubs potentially loitering in the wings, he reminded it will take a ridiculous offer to even tempt United to consider breaking up a starting eleven which stands eighth in the table.

“There’s been a lot of speculation,” Wilder said. “But we haven’t had any enquiries for our regular players if you like.

“It would take an unbelievable bid to get one of them out, and it’s the same the other way around.”

After signing Jack Rodwell on a free and Jack Robinson from Nottingham Forest, the United manager’s preparations for the trip to The Den are taking place against a backdrop of furious activity in Bramall Lane’s recruitment department.

Egan, Stevens and John Lundstram are also continuing to hold talks about agreeing new contracts, as Wilder looks to reward them for their performances so far.

“We asked about a Premier League player ourselves,” Wilder, who is thought to have expressed an interest in Mason Holgate earlier this month, said. “And the answer we got back, well that was a ridiculous figure so that tells you something about the way it is.”

“We’re close, we’re making progress,” he added. “I don’t see anyone else coming in before we go down there but it’s a fluid market.

“I’m hopeful we can get a couple more in before the deadline.”