Sheffield United in contract negotiations with two key men amid fears both could walk away as free agents

Sheffield United are in negotiations over new contracts for key players Oli McBurnie and Wes Foderingham amid concerns that either could leave Bramall Lane for nothing next summer. The pair are amongst a host of Blades players set to become free agents at the end of the current campaign.

Both men saw one-year extensions in their contracts activated in the summer, but would have to agree fresh terms for their spells at Bramall Lane to continue. The pair are settled with the Blades and remain committed to, and focused on, the club’s bid for Premier League survival this season, with their great escape bid boosted by a first win of the season against Wolves last weekend.

Former Blades striker Carl Asaba voiced his concern about the situation regarding United's contracts on the latest episode of the BBC Football Heaven podcast. Striker McBurnie has been linked again with his beloved Rangers while Foderingham, a former Ibrox player, will have attracted admiring glances from elsewhere with his performances since wrestling control of the United No.1 shirt.

Including Foderingham and McBurnie, but not any loan players, 14 senior members of Paul Heckingbottom’s squad are scheduled to become free agents at the end of the current season, as things stand. United are understood to have options in their favour to extend some of them by a further season but others, including starlet striker Daniel Jebbison, are set to depart unless a fresh agreement can be struck.

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Uncertainty over United’s divisional status next season complicates the contracts issue further, with players’ wages boosted while United are in the Premier League and cut if they drop into the Championship. Key men including George Baldock, John Egan and Chris Basham are approaching the final six months of their present deals, as are defenders Jayden Bogle and the injured Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Speaking recently, before being sidelined with a groin injury, McBurnie spoke of his love of life at Bramall Lane. “You know how happy I am here and I’m settled back up north,” he said. “Being around it, I get on well with the fans and the staff and all the boys. I love it here so yes, it’s a no-brainer.”