Crisis-torn Salford must undergo a firesale of top talent after being ordered to slash costs by £800,000.

The cash-strapped Red Devils are already in enhanced special measures after needing a £500,000 advance of their central distribution from RL Commercial last month.

They are in ongoing talks with potential new investors and hoped a deal would be done in time to prevent a player exodus.

But stars such as captain Kallum Watkins, England scrum-half Marc Sneyd and Papua New Guinea centre Kallum Watkins could all now end up being moved on to Super League rivals.

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A Salford statement read: “The club has been directed to sell players without delay.

“The position is the RFL has issued a sustainability cap of £1.2 million and until we reach that, we are now prohibited from registering players for the upcoming season.

“The terms of receiving the advancement were that the club be placed under ‘special measures’ requiring a reduction in overheads of £800,000.

“We were not given a clear timeline for compliance on required expenditure reductions, therefore the club took the decision to hold our position for the short-term while investor negotiations are ongoing.

“During this time, the club has received offers for a number of players, none of whom have been available for sale until today.”

Salford say takeover talks are still “live” but tonight’s news is a hammer blow just four weeks ahead of the new season.

They added: “Investor negotiations continued over the weekend as part of the lengthy, rigorous process to secure a takeover for the club.

“This is still live and we are working to expediate, details of which we can’t disclose given the non-disclosure agreement in place.

“One investor negotiation collapsed due to the investment risk of not having any confirmed position from the council on when the stadium acquisition would be finalised - an example of the delicate negotiating position we find ourselves in.

“In March, it was suggested by Salford City Council the club could receive a subsidy control grant to support rugby league and the rugby development pathway in the city of Salford and Greater Manchester.

“In November, Salford City Council advised that the subsidy control grant was not available due to funding shortfalls elsewhere, the impact of which was that the club had already committed funds to player and staff recruitment and paid for pre-season preparations including a warm weather camp in Portugal.

“Effectively, these projected funds had already been allocated.

“We believe we have acted in the best interests of the club, players, staff and our fans, given the complex situation we find ourselves in with multiple dynamics in play.

“We empathise and understand the frustration of our fans and are deeply sorry to reach this position. Our focus remains in working to explore all avenues possible for the long-term stability and success of Salford Red Devils.

“Immediate next steps are to continue the potential takeover process to secure investment as soon as possible, whilst now simultaneously selling players to meet RL Commercial regulations."

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