Sheffield United player on "very high" wages needs to leave - Blades told they "overpaid" | OneFootball

Sheffield United could let Alex Matos leave Bramall Lane either on loan or permanently this summer.

Alex Matos has endured a lack of game time since joining Sheffield United from Chelsea last summer, leading to serious question marks regarding his future.

Matos was acquired by former Blades boss Ruben Selles, and doesn't appear to be highly rated by Chris Wilder, who hasn't given the midfielder any minutes since his cameo appearance in a 2-1 win at Stoke City on 29 December.

The South Yorkshire outfit have struggled for consistency, leaving them increasingly unlikely to secure a Championship play-off spot as the season draws to a close.

Sheffield United beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on 28 February, but were previously defeated 2-1 by league leaders Coventry City, which dented their top six chances.

Sheffield United could facilitate Alex Matos exit but wages concern has been outlined

Matos made 21 appearances while on loan with Oxford United last season, helping the U's avoid relegation to League One under Gary Rowett's stewardship.

However, the 21-year-old has not been able to have that sort of impact in Blades colours, leaving some supporters surprised that he remained at Bramall Lane during the winter transfer window.

Football League World asked our Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy from the Blades Ramble YouTube channel, if he was shocked that Matos was still at Bramall Lane.

Jimmy told FLW: "I'm surprised he's still here. I expected him to go. I know we were sort of touting him out for a loan move, or even a sale. I think what's happened is we've panicked in the summer, as we've started so terribly, and we've overpaid.

"I think his wages are very high for his ability, certainly from what we're hearing in terms of the numbers talked about. It's very difficult to get somebody like that off the wage bill without heavily subsidising them.

"An Oxford, for example, can't come in for him, even though they rated him as a player, because they're not going to pay the wages that he's on, and Sheffield United would have to stomach half of that.

"So, it's a difficult position to be in, but I'll be very surprised if he's still here come next season, whether that's out on loan or actually sold, because Chris Wilder clearly doesn't fancy him."

According to Capology estimates, Matos earns £10,000 per week, which is the same amount as Femi Seriki, who is usually in Wilder's starting 11.

Sheffield United should facilitate Alex Matos exit which suits both parties

Matos has not started for Sheffield United since their 1-0 defeat to Hull City on 4 October, which came shortly after Wilder returned to Bramall Lane following Selles' short but disastrous reign.

Aside from his loan spells with Huddersfield Town and Oxford in 2024 and 2025, respectively, the 21-year-old has a lack of experience in senior football, and had hoped that a move from Chelsea to the Blades would see him earn more minutes.

However, he has not been a regular feature in the Championship, meaning that he should be keen to push for either a loan or permanent exit this summer.

The Blades should be keen to part ways with Matos, as Wilder will want to build a squad that can launch a more serious play-off bid next term, and facilitating the former Chelsea man's departure would help him do that.