What Chris Wilder said about prospect of Sheffield Wednesday key man making sensational Sheffield United transfer switch

Chris Wilder has admitted he would have been interested in bringing Josh Windass to Sheffield United from their city rivals Wednesday after the revelation that the player’s camp explored the possibility of a sensational cross-city move. As we revealed yesterday, the forward’s representatives made initial contact with United over the possibility of a switch.

At the time Windass was exploring his options after effectively handing in his notice at Wednesday amid their financial crisis, which saw wages go unpaid for months. Windass and Michael Smith were the only two senior players to follow through and quit, with Smith joining Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston North End.

Windass eventually moved to Wrexham and will return to the Steel City tomorrow to face the Blades with Phil Parkinson’s men. But there was a realistic chance of him lining up in this game in the red and white of United - especially had Wilder stayed in post in the summer.

“There's a picture flying about on our WhatsApp group of him in a Sheffield United shirt,” Wilder said of Windass, whose father Dean also played for both Steel City clubs during his own playing career. “I think his dad might have stuck that on him, obviously, when he was here.

“I know his dad well. I like him as a character as well, Josh. He's a good player. And it wouldn’t have been the first and last time that anybody crosses the divide. But he's a Wrexham player now.

“He’s somebody we would have definitely been interested in talking to, because of his performances and the big moments he produced for Sheffield Wednesday.”

What Chris Wilder said about prospect of Sheffield Wednesday key man making sensational Sheffield United transfer switch

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Red Dragons clash, Wilder admitted there was a “possibility” of Windass moving directly across the Steel City to Bramall Lane. “He enjoyed Sheffield,” Wilder added.

“And he wanted to progress his career. So, yeah, there were some bits flying about, but nothing ever concrete really. He has to look after his career and he's had a decent one. He's had some really good moves, played for some big clubs and it was a difficult situation [at Wednesday].

“So I'll never criticise any of those boys because they have to look after their careers and they have to look after their families as well. And it was ultimately a really poor situation that the players were put in.

“Not getting paid and not really understanding where the club was going and whatever. He's a player I really like. I think he's a really good footballer. He's smart. He creates and he scores as well. He's a bright footballer.

“And I'm not surprised there was interest in Josh in the summer. And I should imagine it would have been from more than one club. But he's found a home at Wrexham and he’s playing very well for them.”