Exclusive:Sheffield Wednesday reject bid from Blackburn Rovers for young forward Bailey Cadamarteri
Sheffield Wednesday have rejected a high six-figure transfer bid for young forward Bailey Cadamarteri, The Star understands.
The administration-hit Owls are navigating a transfer window that has seen bids launched for a number of their players - and have also rejected offers from Portsmouth and Millwall for midfielder Svante Ingelsson. Yisa Alao has signed for Chelsea and captain Barry Bannan is on his way to Millwall, with a medical reported to have been completed.
A 20-year-old forward with growing second tier experience and strong profile, Cadamarteri is a player known to be of interest to a wide range of clubs in the division and north of the border. Wednesday knocked back a bid from Scottish side Hibernian believed to be in the region of £250k earlier in the window amid strong expressions of interest from elsewhere.
The Star understands Blackburn Rovers made a formal transfer bid for Cadamarteri this week and that it was swiftly rejected. Sources suggest the bid to have been worth somewhere in the region of £750k, a way south of the Owls’ present valuation. Rovers are currently sat in the relegation zone with Wednesday, a point from Portsmouth in the first safety spot.
The Star has previously reported interest in Cadamarteri from Swansea City, Stoke City, Charlton Athletic, Luton Town, Wycombe Wanderers and Mansfield Town in this window, with Millwall marrying their interest in Bannan and Ingelsson with an enquiry for the Owld academy product.
The Yorkshire-born forward has been a regular across a number of roles in Henrik Pedersen’s struggling side throughout the season, scoring twice to earn the Owls two of their 11 Championship points this season. Cadamarteri doesn’t turn 21 until May and already has 51 Championship appearances on his CV, as well as full international experience with Jamaica.
Administrators at Wednesday are looking to raise some funds through fair price player sales in order to safeguard the threat of an extension to the administration process. A number of players are believed to be of interest to other clubs, including the likes of Yan Valery, Charlie McNeill and Ike Ugbo.
Amid the likelihood of player exits, work is being done in an attempt to strengthen the squad despite the stringent recruitment restrictions the club is operating to. Murphy Cooper and Jaden Heskey have arrived on loan from Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City respectively and the Owls are believed to be keen on striking another deal with City for young left-back Stephen Mfuni.