Sheffield United, as well the other 19 top-flight clubs, have been given permission from the Premier League to extend the contracts of those players whose current deals expire on June 30th.

Chief Executive of the Premier League Richard Masters says the aim is to ensure every team in the division has the opportunity to finish the season with the same squad they had before the postponement in football fixtures:

“What we decided is to ensure as far as possible that clubs complete the season with the same squad they had available prior to the suspension of the campaign.”

“Players can extend their contracts beyond June 30 until the end of the season, but it must be agreed by both parties. Clubs and players will now have until June 23 to agree extensions.”

The Blades have eight players who could potentially leave Bramall Lane at the end of next month. Four of those: Kieron Freeman, Phil Jagielka, Leon Clarke and Jack Rodwell are out of contract.

The other four are loan signings, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Panos Retsos, Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, Changchun Yatai’s Richairo Zivkovic and Everton’s Mo Besic all due to go back to their parent clubs.

United’s deal for Zivkovic is likely to be the most difficult to negotiate as Changchun Yatai are expected to start their league season in July.