Mark McGuinness to leave Sheffield United? How much Blades can save on wages | OneFootball

The defender has endured a tough debut season at Bramall Lane.

Big changes are coming at Sheffield United this summer as they strive to position themselves as promotion challenges after an underwhelming season.

The Blades had last summer to get over their play-off final heartbreak from the previous term and the departure of long-serving manager Chris Wilder, with the questionable appointment of Ruben Selles the big talking point at Bramall Lane.

Wilder's return ensured stability for the South Yorkshire club, and they have already made some big decisions by releasing high earners Tom Davies, Danny Ings, Ben Mee and Jairo Riedewald.

The departures will not stop there, though, and with Mark McGuinness among the players who could leave Sheffield United, will he depart, and how much would the club save on his departure?

What is Mark McGuinness' current situation at Sheffield United?

McGuiness arrived at Bramall Lane last summer from Luton Town on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, just a year after he'd signed for the Hatters in a £10 million deal from Cardiff City.

Despite suffering a relegation with Luton, the defender had a pretty strong reputation at the time as a physical, dominant centre-back with international experience and at 24, there was plenty of room for improvement.

His signing was part of a major rebuild under Selles, who had narrowly avoided Championship relegation the season before with Hull City on goal difference, with Mee and Chiedozie Ogbene also arriving on deadline day.

While the centre-back was a first-team regular under Selles and even Wilder in his early return to the club, he fell out of favour and was an unused substitute for eight straight matches between February and March.

Going into the summer, Japhet Tanganga is McGuinness' only real competition at the back with Ben Mee released and Tyler Bindon heading back to Nottingham Forest, and it is an area that you would expect Wilder to bolster significantly.

There have already been reports on McGuinness' future being in doubt in South Yorkshire, with a potential departure on the cards, which is no shock given his indifferent impact.

How much Sheffield United could save on Mark McGuinness' wages if he exits

Sheffield United are currently the second-highest paying team in the Championship in terms of wages, according to Capology, behind only Leicester City, who have been relegated to League One.

That is why they have perhaps allowed several big names to leave on free transfers, but they may not stop there if they receive offers for some of their other high earners.

While McGuinness is not among the highest earners at the club, his departure would open up a place for another signing, which could be valuable in their pursuit of the Premier League.

The 25-year-old is on an estimated £25,000 per week, as per Capology, with seven other players, including Tanganga, earning more, although some of those seven are leaving this summer.

That equates to a gross total of approximately £1.63million a year, so it is easy to see why the club might want to cash in.

Next term, Championship clubs will also have to abide by new financial regulations regarding the new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, allowing clubs to spend 80% of their revenue on squad-related costs.

It is not known how that will affect the Blades, but by slashing their wage bill, they can ensure they stay well within the rules.