It’s been claimed in court that Wilder will leave the Blades if Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia wins his bitter legal battle with joint-owner Kevin McCabe.

Wilder has expressed an interest in joining the Baggies if he exits his current club, although Middlesbrough would also be a potential destination for the LMA Manager of the Year.

However, the High Court case is due to finish in two weeks on Tuesday, June 25, and at this stage, Albion are unlikely to wait that long.

Although Wilder would naturally be an attractive appointment for the Baggies to consider, waiting for a potential walk-out that might never happen would represent a gamble.

The club are remaining tight-lipped over their managerial hunt, but it’s thought they are making headway with current front-runner Bilic.

Negotiations over salary and incentives for winning promotion are ongoing but it’s believed progress was made on Monday.

Bilic is the favourite to land the role, although Chris Hughton is still in the running.

However, the former Brighton boss would need to take a pay cut from his previous Premier League wage.

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Wilder’s situation at Bramall Lane threw a spanner in the works of Albion’s managerial hunt this summer when his potential availability became known.

In court today, Paul Downes QC, representing McCabe's company SUL, said: “Mr Chris Wilder is emotionally attached to Sheffield United and feels a great deal of love and loyalty to Kevin McCabe personally.

“Kevin McCabe has been attacked in this case and he [Wilder] is not going to stay is he if Prince Abdullah wins?”