Panagiotis Retsos says he is keen to remain at Sheffield United beyond his current loan spell at Bramall Lane.

As things stand, the Greek international will return to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of June, but speaking out about his future, the centre-back says he wants to stay at the Blades as he has the backing of manager Chris Wilder:

“I would like to stay with Sheffield because the coach believes in me. He has a plan and it is very important for me to play games so that I can get even better.”

United are said to be aiming to keep both Retsos and fellow loanee Richairo Zivkovic at the club if the season is extended into July.

FIFA have recommended that contracts and loans should be allowed to run beyond June 30th, although, it must be pointed out that players would not be obligated legally to abide by such a recommendation.

In Retsos’s case, it appears he would even want to join the Blades on a permanent basis, despite playing just one game since arriving in January. Whether the Yorkshire club could afford to sign him, though, it remains to be seen.