SUNDERLAND will miss out on a £500,000 windfall if Basle fail to retain their Swiss title on Saturday.

After Sheffield United ditched plans for a move for Jody Craddock following their play-off final defeat, Bernt Haas' proposed transfer to Basle could fall through this weekend.

Basle are a point behind leaders Grasshoppers and must overhaul the Zurich club on the final day of the season to become champions.

Sunderland have begun discussions regarding Haas' possible permanent move to Basle, who have first option on the defender.

But they would be unable to afford to sign the 25-year-old - who starred in this season's Champions League - if they did not win the title. Haas is Basle's biggest earner and only the team that finishes top of the Swiss championship qualifies for European football's elite competition. A source close to Haas said: "Basle would like to buy Bernt but they will only be able to do so if they become champions on Saturday.

"Bernt has had a very good season and won his place back in the Switzerland side."

Sunderland are aware of interest from other clubs in Haas, but they are yet to receive an offer for the right-back.

His Black Cats career seems over after Darren Williams' displays earned fulsome praise from Mick McCarthy. Mark Rossiter has also signed a new deal, although Stephen Wright has been a £3m flop after he was brought in to replace Haas.

Sheffield United were one of a handful of clubs who wanted Craddock, but they have abandoned hopes of taking him from Sunderland after failing to reach the Premiership.

Everton and Charlton Athletic have also been linked with Craddock, but the Blues' interest has waned after they tied Joseph Yobo to a long-term deal.

Although Sunderland are still waiting for someone to snap up £1.5m-rated Craddock to ease their money worries, Wolverhampton Wanderers' promotion boosted their bank balance by £350,000.

Wolves must pay the Black Cats that figure after sell-on clauses in the transfers that took Paul Butler and Alex Rae to Molineux were activated by Monday's Millennium Stadium triumph.

Sunderland vice-chairman John Fickling said: "The payments we are due will obviously be useful."

Sunderland confirmed yesterday that Jurgen Macho - who has agreed to join Chelsea - Keith Graydon and Craig Turns have been released.

* Kevin Kilbane is in the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's Euro 2004 qualifiers against Albania and Georgia.

Read more about Sunderland here.