Sheffield United's bid for Rhian Brewster is now being considered by Liverpool's hierarchy as boss gets in touch with Jurgen Klopp

Although he admitted it is “highly unlikely” United will discover if their pitch has been successful before Monday’s Premier League fixture at Aston Villa, Wilder revealed negotiations have now reached board level after he personally spoke to Jurgen Klopp about his plans to develop the England under-21 international.

Despite not being the only striker United are monitoring as they attempt to complete their summer recruitment drive - Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun has also been the subject of interest from Bramall Lane - Wilder would jump at the chance to acquire Brewster’s services on loan after watching him impress during a spell with Swansea City last season.

Asked if Klopp’s swoop for Wolves’ Diogo Jota will make it easier to secure the 20-year-old’s services, Wilder said: “I don’t know. I’m not going to mug everyone off by saying we haven’t spoken about Rhian. I’ve spoken to their manager and the CEO has spoken to the CEO. I’ll leave it up to him (Steve Bettis) now. We have a list of targets, though. We have to.”

With a number of other top-flight clubs also known to be monitoring Brewster and Balogun - including next week’s opponents Villa - Wilder hopes United’s proven track record of “looking after” players attached to the division’s heavyweight names will prove crucial when Klopp and Peter Moore, Bettis’ counterpart at Anfield, decide where to place one of the most exciting talents at the reigning champions disposal.

Outlining how Chelsea’s Frank Lampard helped pave the way for Ethan Ampadu’s arrival on loan earlier this month, Wilder also referenced the progress Manchester United’s Dean Henderson made during two seasons in South Yorkshire.

“When I spoke with Frank at Chelsea, who I have to say was brilliant in terms of his assistance about Ethan coming here, he said ‘I want him to play but he has to get into your team.’ We didn’t have to put Dean in and we don’t have to put Ethan in. But if they want to play for Chelsea and Manchester United, who also had no complaints about how we looked after Dean, they have to get in here and play well.”

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