The advertisement which confirmed Sheffield United's transfer window plans lie further afield than usual

Buried beneath interviews with leading figures at Bramall Lane and a notice that tickets for Liverpool had now sold-out, the advertisement was accompanied by no fanfare whatsoever and almost seemed like an after-thought.

But it was arguably the most important piece of news United’s media team have announced since Chris Wilder’s side gained promotion from the Championship nine months ago. Because it signalled both a desire to extend their infrastructure behind the scenes and, perhaps most intriguingly, the manager’s willingness to source talent from overseas after three-and-a-half seasons of largely domestic recruitment.

Many of the qualities applicants were asked to demonstrate are relatively mundane.

“Design, develop and implement an induction pack,” for new arrivals was one. “Arrange house viewings, handle lettings and agreements and house removals,” another.

But presumably footballers already plying their trade on these shores do not need someone to “open bank accounts, apply for national insurance numbers and arrange insurance”, or provide “help with arranging language lessons...and augment their understanding of the English language.”

Those based in Europe or further afield might. The job description suggests reports linking United with targets in countries including France and Greece are, at least in part, correct.

Wilder has always been open to the idea of looking overseas, despite acquiring only four non-British or Irish nationals since being appointed in May 2016.

The Star can reveal Paul Mitchell, one of the 52-year-old’s most trusted confidants and head of first team recruitment, visited central Europe and Scandinavia two summer ago to perform information gathering exercises and expand his contacts.

But overseas scouting networks cost money, and lots of it.

Wilder reminded as much before his squad faced Brentford, who have excelled in this field, towards the end of last term.

“It doesn’t come cheap,” he said. “They’ve got an army of analysts going through all the figures and crunching the numbers. We’ve got to spend it on other things.”

Reaching the top-flight has provided United with the means to improve this aspect of their operations. Wilder is also known to have decided that, in order to overcome some of the financial obstacles facing clubs hoping to establish themselves at the highest level following a long period in the English Football League, players residing abroad might provide better value money. Not those working at elite level. Mitchell’s reconnaissance mission confirmed his suspicions that globalisation means the days of purchasing, for example, an Italy international for less than a run of the mill English professional are long gone.

But the lower divisions in, say, the Benelux countries, where immigration rules have led to an influx of players from other continents, could provide a number of interesting avenues to explore. Likewise less fashionable clubs in Spain, Portugal and Ligue 1. Scotland, which proved a bountiful fishing ground for his predecessor Nigel Clough, remains another area of interest.

Although Wilder retains the final say on all new signings - something he reiterated when Jack Rodwell, a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers, was unveiled before Sunday’s FA Cup victory over AFC Fylde - recent events at board level could also influence aspects of United’s transfer policy.

Despite keeping a discreet and diplomatic distance since HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was confirmed as their new owner - a decision former chairman Kevin McCabe is still hoping to overturn - Jan van Winckel was present when Wilder met with the Saudi Arabian in Dubai last year. The Belgian, a United director, still holds a technical position with the Saudi FA but has previously worked in countries including France, Holland and the UAE. Van Winckel is also thought to subscribe to the theory that United must expand their horizons but, aware of how his presence was viewed by some supporters before Prince Abdullah’s takeover, has been careful not to offend sensibilities either on the terraces or in the bootroom, where Wilder is adamant he must retain complete control.

Wilder is expected to be grilled on the progress of his talks with prospective signings later this week, when United brief the media ahead of Friday’s game against West Ham.

The scheduling of that meeting, which was decided by the Premier League’s broadcast rights holders rather than United themselves, means speculation linking Rangers’ Glen Kamara and Adrien Tameze of OGN Nice with moves to South Yorkshire will have another 24 hours to either diminish or gather traction.

But Wilder has already stated he will publicly refuse to reveal the identity of those players he is chasing, for fear of ratcheting up their fees and salaries.

It seems certain, though, that at least some currently reside beyond these shores.