No significant developments are expected on Iliman Ndiaye's contract situation at Sheffield United until after the January transfer window is closed, according to Yorkshire Live journalist Nathan Hemmingham.

The 22-year-old has been in fine form for the Blades this season, recording nine goals and two assists in 21 league appearances this season as one of his domestic side's most important players.

Playing a huge part in their fast start to the campaign, United will be keen to tie him down to a new deal sooner rather than later considering the fact he's thought to be the subject of top-tier interest.

 

 

And at this stage, the attacker has the opportunity to continue impressing with Senegal at the World Cup after advancing to the round of 16, where they will face England on Sunday with many scouts potentially keeping an eye on him in that match.

His current contract at Bramall Lane expires in 2024 and with that, there's likely to be a limit on his value in the next couple of windows if his contract continues to run down, though it remains to be seen whether the club has the option to extend his stay by a further year.

Either way, nothing big is expected to happen regarding his contract in January, with his representatives potentially waiting to see what interest emerges during the next window before advising the player on his future.

The Verdict:

This is frustrating for United because you feel it will get tougher and tougher to tie him down to new terms the longer this goes on - because he's only likely to impress more clubs in the coming months and that isn't good news for the Blades.

Although it could maximise his valuation, they will want to keep him for the remainder of the campaign to give themselves the best chance of getting back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Similar applies to Sander Berge and with both of their contracts expiring in 2024, they may need to cash in on one of the duo if they don't sign new deals so it will be interesting to see what happens with his future.

Considering Berge's injury problems, Ndiaye is probably the player Paul Heckingbottom will want to keep the most so it would be difficult to see him leave Bramall Lane in January regardless of what happens.

But it won't be Heckingbottom who decides what happens regarding his future, it will be the board and that's why a sale can't be ruled out despite the fact he's such an important first-team figure.