The Owls have been linked with some of the finest players in English football – we’re looking at you, Mr Cantona – it’s tough not to wonder what could have been.
So who slipped through their fingers and who moved on too soon? Let’s look at 15 stars who could’ve made a difference.
9. Dan Petrescu
Another in the Emerson Thome camp of 'what could have been', the Romanian full-back was excellent in his short time at Hillsborough and ended up making a controversial move to.. Chelsea. Was one of many disappointing 90s departures. Photo: Clive Brunskill
10. Jon Stones
Now one of the most expensive defenders of all-time, Manchester City and England star Jon Stones grew up in nearby Penistone and was reportedly on the Wednesday radar when he was a youth player. Barnsley was his breeding ground, though, and the rest, via Everton, is history. Photo: Richard Heathcote
11. Kenwyne Jones
Another loanee that never quite came off, Paul Sturrock made moves to sign Jones after a successful temporary spell from Southampton. He returned to score goals there before stints at Sunderland, Stoke and Cardiff. Photo: Julian Finney
12. Ben Marshall
Lee Bullen said before the start of the season that the club seemed to have been linked with Ben Marshall in every window since he arrived on loan in 2011. An initial £1m move to Leicester seemed out of the Owls' reach at the time but opportunities have followed since as, aside from four years at Blackburn, Marshall failed to truly settle. Now playing non-league. Photo: Alex Livesey