Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder opens-up about the challenges of doing business in January

But as he detailed the machinations of a transfer window and the stunts clubs pull to try and steal a march, Chris Wilder revealed there have been times when he’s also resorted to subterfuge. Despite building a reputation for being a straight-up kinda guy.

“There’s been a couple we’ve intercepted along the way,” the Sheffield United manager explained when questioned on the subject earlier today. “There’s probably been a few times when we’ve been a bit liberal with the truth.

“I can think of a couple of occasions when I’ve been reading or watching that someone is joining ‘X’ and they were actually sat next to me with a pen in their hand. Still, it’s all part and parcel, one of the most enjoyable things in fact, of the job. Every 24 hours is different to the next.”

Although briefing his players on West Ham was Wilder’s immediate concern, the 52-year-old also tackled the subject of recruitment when he addressed the media ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League fixture at Bramall Lane.

After climbing to eighth in the table - seven points ahead of the visitors - following an impressive start to the season, United hope to build upon that progress by undertaking another overhaul of the options at Wilder’s disposal. Albeit on a much smaller scale than the one they performed last summer after being promoted from the Championship.

The reasons for that are three-fold: continuity, money and, as Wilder acknowledged, the challenge of doing business whilst adhering to a budget during a notoriously difficult window.

“Nobody wants to let players go in January,” he said. “There’s a lot of inflated prices and a lot of desperation at times to try and improve what you’ve got.

“If people do let their best players go, which of course are the ones people are after, then they’re only going to do so if you pay a premium.”

“You can see how tough it is at this time of year,” Wilder continued. “Because we’re, what, 10 days in now and there’s not much being done. It’s very quiet at our level.

“If you know someone is in demand then you’re always going to hike the price up. I should imagine things will ramp up towards the deadline and even though I don’t like leaving stuff until the last minute, sometimes you are in the hands of other people and it has to be done.”

United have identified three priority areas - left centre-half, right centre-half and midfield - ahead of the forthcoming deadline, finalising a list of candidates for each position towards the end of last month.

But aware he lacks the funding enjoyed by other top-flight sides, Wilder, who recently acquired free agent Jack Rodwell, is prepared to focus on the two at the back with Nice Adrien Tameze and Elia Cobbaut of Anderlecht emerging as possibilities. Both would be capable of providing competition and cover for Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell although, given the financial constraints United are operating under having spent over a decade in the English Football League, the loan market is also viewed as a potential source of talent.

Still, as Wilder noted, even brokering temporary deals is not without difficulty.

“There’s bigger agents fees, bigger loan fees, I didn’t even pay a loan fee for a year and a half here,” Wilder, who took charge in 2016, said. “It was only the second year back in the Championship that we got introduced to those which was a different arena to what we were previously used to.”

“We’ve still got the same methods though and we’re still working as diligently,” he added. “We’re trying to work in different areas to the big boys because there’s a lot of arm-wrestling going on and we can’t get involved in that.

“You wouldn’t believe what’s happening at a couple of clubs. It’s like ‘how big is your telly?’ and I’ve got a portable.

“Also, if we do a loan, it’ll be from abroad because you’re only allowed two UK based ones and we’ve got Mo (Besic) and Dean Henderson here from Everton and Manchester United.”

One of United’s most impressive traits since appointing Wilder has been knowing when to let players go. A ruthless cull at the beginning of his reign created the foundations for their march to the League One title while the likes of Ryan Leonard and Lee Evans were also sacrificed, to make room for new arrivals, before United’s climb out of the second tier.

United are expected to sanction a flurry of departures again, with Leon Clarke and Richard Stearman among those deemed surplus to requirements. Should they leave, they will do so with Wilder’s thanks and blessing after making important contributions to United’s remarkable transformation under his stewardship.

Ben Heneghan and Kean Bryan, who is being monitored by Charlton Athletic, could also follow them through the exit door.

“I enjoy signing players and trying to sign the group,” Wilder said. That’s part of the fun.

“But there’s a skill to it as well. Timing is key. Some players have taken it as far as they can probably go with you and they understand that. You’ve got to refresh and keep improving. I feel we’ve done that ever since we’ve walked through the door.”

As well as refreshing, United have reset too, following a demanding run of games which have pitted them against Manchester City and Liverpool over the festive period.

After granting them time off following the trip to Anfield, Wilder is set to recall all of his most influential names for the clash with 16th placed West Ham after changing his entire starting eleven when AFC Fylde were beaten in the FA Cup last weekend.

“We’ve sat down and reminded ourselves what we’re all about, what we stand for and what we do,” Wilder said. “I’m pleased we gave them that rest because, since they’ve come back in, the benefits have been obvious.”