Sheffield United in line for bonus cash windfall as Wrexham transfer edges closer after "line crossed"
Former Sheffield United midfielder Ben Whiteman is closing in on a move to Wrexham after a public falling-out with Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom – and the Blades are due a small financial bonus if the transfer goes through.
Sheffield United could be in line for a small cash windfall as their former midfielder Ben Whiteman nears a move across the Championship. The 30-year-old is closing in on a £3m move to Wrexham.
Whiteman is currently at Preston North End and managed by another former United man in Paul Heckingbottom, who was not shy about addressing his man’s future at the weekend after he tried to force the move to the ambitious Welshmen.
"Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has,” Heckingbottom said. “There's a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben's sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it otherwise he's put himself in a sticky situation.”
Asked how important it was that the situation was quickly resolved, Heckingbottom said curtly: “He's made his bed. I'm not bothered as long as I get another player."
Doncaster Rovers, who sold Whiteman to Preston in 2021, are in line for a chunk of cash as and when the deal goes through, having inserted a sell-on clause into the deal that took him to Deepdale in 2021.
And although United’s main tranche of sell-on cash arrived at that point, Bramall Lane sources have confirmed that United are in line for a small bonus top-up this time around if Whiteman’s move completes.
The former Manchester United trainee is another success story of United’s academy. His career may not have hit the heights of Kyle Walker or Harry Maguire but he has become a solid Championship player who will be eyeing a late surge for the Premier League with the ambitious Red Dragons.