Chris Wilder has confirmed that the Blades do indeed have clauses inserted into the deals for Panos Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic.
Those clauses allow United to make permanent moves for the duo if, of course, they impress in their short spells at Bramall Lane.
Zivkovic and Retsos were both deadline day signings for the Blades. The pair joined Sander Berge in ensuring it was an exciting finish to the window for Chris Wilder’s men.
And the Blades boss has today confirmed that the club can indeed make both deals permanent come the summer. Speaking ahead of the clash with Bournemouth this weekend. Wilder revealed the news when pressed on the intricacies of the respective deals.
Retsos and Zivkovic will both hope to make their debuts against the Cherries this weekend. However, with the Blades winning last weekend at Crystal Palace, Wilder will find it hard to change a winning squad.
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Zivkovic, arguably, stands the best chance of game time. With David McGoldrick not quite fully fit and Billy Sharp yet to score since the opening day, there may well be a vacancy at the side of Oli McBurnie.
Brilliant business
While on the surface of things it looked like the Blades had simply secured loan deals for Retsos and Zivkovic, it appears the club have been far smarter with their work.
Wilder, although he used the loan market last January, is more keen on keeping a consistent group together. That would explain, then, why he’ll have been so keen to see the pair tied into more long-term deals.
It’s highly likely that the pair will impress during their time at Bramall Lane. Retsos should, at some point, get his chance given his versatility at the back.
Wilder also talks of their impact in training, something he has pointed out has already been positive. If the Blades can indeed get both Zivkovic and Retsos over the line in the summer, then the squad for next season is already looking a strong one.