Any club wishing to sign Sander Berge on deadline day is likely to have to meet his release clause, The Yorkshire Post understands.

So at this stage it seems like for the second transfer window running, interest in the Sheffield United player will not amount to anything. Likewise, there is growing confidence at Bramall Lane that Iliman Ndiaye will still be a Blade tomorrow.

The Blades not selling could store up off-field problems for the future, but letting either one go without signing a replacement would cause more, with the club in a strong position to win promotion to the Premier League.

That would instantly be worth in excess of £100m to them next season, putting their current cashflow difficulties into perspective.

OUT OF REACH: No club has yet met Sander Berge's Sheffield United release clause

The Champinship club have taken their stance after conversations at boardroom level, and are helped by the fact neither player is agitating to leave. Both trained as normal on deadline day.

Ndiaye is the Blades' top-scorer this season with 10 goals this season and Berge one of their most high-profile players having played Champions League football before his £22m move in January 2020, then a club record fee.

Berge's withdrawal from last weekend's FA Cup tie at Wrexham at the board's request, on top of the recent news that the Blades were under a transfer embargo for failing to pay an instalment on a transfer fee on time, appeared to have encouraged clubs to think they could do a deal for less than the Norwegian's release clause, thought to be in the region of £35m.

Fulham, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Napoli were all linked with moves.

Sheffield United state of play: Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye expected to stay as board hold firm on valuations