Going or staying? That is the question high on the agenda at both Bramall Lane and Hillsborough.

Well, yes and no might well be the answer – in that order. It's guesswork only because no-one really knows at this stage and it goes without saying that, in an ideal world, both clubs will want to keep their major assets.

But if there's a key clue to be had then I reckon we have to go back to where we came in… the massive age differential between United striker Beattie, 30, and Wednesday defender Beevers, 18.

If Beattie was a couple of years younger the Blades could virtually guarantee that their top marksman would be banging in the goals at Bramall Lane again next season and kicking down the door to the Premiership.

The former Southampton and Everton striker is genuine about enjoying his time here and about being happy to stay. But if – or more likely when – the offers come in, he'll have to ask himself this question: Am I prepared to wait until I'm 32 for another crack in the top flight?

And will it be too late if I do?

Now factor in United's wage cuts and the realistic prospect of making a profit on their record £4m signing. I'd guess the smart money would be on Beattie moving up this summer, not least because manager Kevin Blackwell is well blessed for strikers at Championship level – and at least one will have to be offloaded.

But if Beattie and the Blades might feel they can't hang around, the question could be posed in reverse at Hillsborough. Can Wednesday afford NOT to hang on to Beevers?

On the one hand we all know that, barring a takeover, the Owls would be hard pressed to resist a bid of, say, £2m to £3m.

But everyone in the game – not just Brian Laws – knows that the teenage prodigy is potentially worth multiples of that sum. He's tied to a long-term deal and, by all accounts, is not pushing to advance his career in the knowledge that he has time to develop further under the close eye of his mentor, academy manager Sean McAuley.

If Wednesday keep their nerve they could have a priceless asset on the hands in a player who is already under the microscope of Chelsea and Everton among any number of Premiership clubs.