What Sheffield United's wage bill is as Chris Wilder plots £40k-a-week PL star raid | OneFootball

As Sheffield United target Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, we looked at the club's current wage bill.

As they look to continue their rise up the Championship table, it is an important January transfer window for Sheffield United.

After a nightmare start to the season that saw them lose each of their first six games in all competitions, Sheffield United parted company with head coach Ruben Selles in September, and Chris Wilder sensationally returned to the club for a third spell in charge, just 89 days after his controversial summer exit.

It took Wilder time to turn the Blades' fortunes around, but after a positive few months during the winter period, they have managed to pull away from the relegation zone, and talk of a potential play-off push has begun to gather pace at Bramall Lane.

Wilder has made no secret of his desire to make changes to his squad in the January window, and United have made one new signing so far this month, with defender Ki-Jana Hoever joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while they have also extended the contract of striker Patrick Bamford.

However, with the 2nd February deadline getting ever closer, it could be a busy couple of weeks ahead for the Blades, and it appears Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka is one player on their radar.

Sheffield United set to rival Birmingham City and Coventry City for Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka

It was revealed earlier this month that Championship promotion hopefuls Birmingham City and Coventry City were both interested in signing Onyeka, but they are not the only second tier clubs keen on the 28-year-old.

According to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United have joined the race for Onyeka, who will be allowed to leave Brentford this month either on loan or permanently after falling down the pecking order at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Onyeka joined the Bees from Midtjylland in the summer of 2021, and he was a regular in their early years in the Premier League, but after spending last season on loan with Bundesliga side Augsburg, he has made just nine appearances in all competitions this campaign since returning from his spell in Germany.

The midfielder made four appearances for Nigeria during the recent Africa Cup of Nations as they reached the semi-finals of the tournament, and he may hope that his international exploits will earn more of an opportunity at club level, but that seems unlikely given that his last top flight appearance came all the way back in late October.

When quizzed on rumours about a possible move for Onkeya, Wilder refused to deny that he was a player on the club's list of targets, and he confirmed that he is keen to bring in a midfielder before the end of the window.

With Onyeka estimated to earn a base salary of £40,000-a-week at Brentford, the Blades could face a financial stumbling block if they were to pursue a permanent deal, but it is likely that Brentford would contribute to his wages if he made a loan move to Bramall Lane.

As United weigh up whether to firm up their interest in Onyeka with a formal offer, we take a look at their current wage structure.

Sheffield United's current wage bill amid Frank Onyeka, Brentford speculation

According to Capology, Sheffield United have a weekly wage bill of £542,000 and an annual wage bill of £28,184,000, although it should be stressed that those figures are estimates.

Defender Japhet Tanganga, who joined the Blades from Millwall this summer in a deal that could potentially be worth as much as £10 million, is the club's highest paid player, taking home £35,000-a-week and £455,000-a-year.

Tom Davies, Gustavo Hamer and Danny Ings are next on the list, with the trio all believed to receive £30,000-a-week, while Adam Davies, Mark McGuinness, Ben Mee, Tahith Chong and Tom Cannon (all £25,000-a-week) are also among United's top earners.

Should Onyeka make a permanent move to Bramall Lane, he could immediately become the Blades' biggest earner if he wished to maintain his current Brentford salary, but he would likely have to accept a wage reduction if he was to drop down to the Championship on a full-time basis.

While United look set to continue their progress up the table under Wilder in the second half of the campaign, it could still be a tall order for them to make the play-offs this season, so they must carefully consider how much of a financial gamble they are willing to take.