Exclusive:Sheffield Wednesday exploring possible move for ex-Aston Villa midfielder
Amid conversation around possible outgoings at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday hope to bring players in before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.
The Owls are understood to be closing in on the loan addition of Jerry Yates from Luton Town, who would provide Championship experience and an added attacking option for a side that hasn’t scored in its last seven games. It’s believed to be possible that Yates could be cleared to feature in this weekend’s visit of Wrexham.
The Star is also of the understanding that Wednesday are weighing up interest in adding another Hatter to their squad, with exploratory talks having taken place over the possible loan addition of midfielder Marvelous Nakamba. A former Aston Villa man, who features alongside Owls youngster Sean Fusire in international football as captain of Zimbabwe, has fallen down the pecking order at Luton Town and has made only one League One appearance this season - though he has completed two 90-minute outings in the EFL Trophy and three at last month’s African Cup of Nations.
Nakamba has Premier League and Champions League experience on his CV, but has suffered from knee injuries in the last few years and is looking to start afresh with a new opportunity elsewhere. The holding midfielder has good pedigree, having been signed by Villa from Belgian side Club Brugge in 2019 for a fee reported to have been somewhere in the region of £10m. He went on to play 68 times for the Midlands giants before an initial loan at Kenilworth Road in which he played a big part in their 2023 promotion to the top tier.
Other clubs are said to be interested in offering the 32-year-old a fresh start and at this stage any likelihood of a deal to bring him to Hillsborough is not yet clear. The Owls are understood to be looking at a number of players in their bid to make their squad as strong as possible in what is a doomed campaign. Should his fitness hold up, Nakamba would stand to offer experience to a midfield stripped of legendary captain Bannan. Midfield figures Yan Valery and Svante Ingelsson are understood to be possible departures.
The Owls are battling against recruitment restrictions and all incoming deals are subject to an EFL approval process. Yates is expected to become Wednesday’s third addition of the window after goalkeeper Murphy Cooper from Queens Park Rangers and midfielder Jaden Heskey from Manchester City. Yisa Alao and Bannan have left the administration-hit club for Chelsea and Millwall respectively and further outgoings seem likely, with clubs expected to revisit rejected offers for Ingelsson and Bailey Cadamarteri.