Championship side Sheffield United are already holding talks with potential summer signings despite not knowing what budget they will be working with yet, according to a report from The Star.

The Blades previously looked as though they were set to have a disappointing first season back in the Championship under former boss Slavisa Jokanovic - but successor Paul Heckingbottom has been a key figure in turning the club around and they now sit in the top six going into the final weekend of the campaign.

Sitting just two points above Middlesbrough at this stage though, it's currently unclear which division they will be plying their trade in next term with promotion still a real possibility.

A victory against league leaders Fulham will be enough to secure their spot in the play-offs - but this won't be an easy task considering the Cottagers are on the verge of scoring 100 league goals for the campaign amid a formidable season for Marco Silva's men.

United's budget won't just be affected by which division they are in next term - but also a potential takeover with American businessman Henry Mauriss thought to have had a bid accepted to take control of the South Yorkshire side.

Nonetheless, officials at Bramall Lane are planning ahead and have already engaged in negotiations with players' representatives regarding a possible move to the club, according to the Sheffield Star.

They will have to wait until next month to be able to officially welcome players through the door though with the summer window set to open on June 10th this year.

The Verdict:

Making contingency plans and making sure they look at the bigger picture will either help them to try and retain their place in the top flight or ensure they are in the best possible shape going into another second-tier season.

Across the division, clubs that have nothing to play for including Cardiff City and Preston North End are already looking ahead to the coming months and that will give them an advantage over the Blades if Heckingbottom's side aren't well prepared.

There will be a certain number of players that will also be suited to both top-tier and second-tier football so they can get those deals over the line quite quickly if the finances are made available to secure agreements.

You wouldn't exactly blame Prince Abdullah for holding back at this stage considering his side are currently the subject of a takeover bid - but there are no guarantees it will go through so looking to the long term - it would probably be wiser for the owner to inject more money in at this point.

And if he does, he will get that back anyway through the takeover deal if it materialises, so the Blades should be hopeful of being backed to some extent this summer regardless of the ownership situation.