Ins, outs, who and why: Sheffield Wednesday's transfer deadline day state of play
It’s transfer deadline day at Sheffield Wednesday and it could well prove to be a busy one - if not perhaps in the direction supporters might prefer.
The administration-hit, relegation-certainty Owls have until 7pm to finalise their squad heading into these final months of a campaign all with blue-tinted glasses will want to see the back of. But with 17 games to go there is quite literally plenty to play for - the very real possibility is that Wednesday finish the day with an even weaker squad than how they start it.
Signings will be sought and so too will sales. Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen admitted in a press conference last week that the raising of funds - in his words - would be ‘great for the security of the club’. There may well be more working itself out in the background but here, at the outset of deadline day, is The Star’s understanding of how things sit and what could play out before the closure of the window this evening.
Why do they need to sell?
As repeated and reiterated by The Star to the point of headache this month, the Owls are working to sell players to cover the threat of financial shortfall should the takeover attempts of James Bord’s consortium fail in the coming weeks or months. The preferred bidders are covering losses in the interim and should they succeed in their efforts, all is well. If they don’t pass the tests, it leaves the club with something of a hole in its cashflow forecast heading into the summer.
The club’s administrators bear a responsibility not to take any risks on that front and with the window about to close, time is ticking on their ability to raise significant cash - be that through sales and or the reduction of the wage bill. The understanding is that a figure has been forecast on what would need to be raised to guard against the financial threat of the takeover falling through, rather than the situation being a desperate grab for as much cash as possible. Bids have been knocked back as administrators look for fair value sales and serious interest remains in a number of players.
For what it’s worth, any sense of panic that the club won’t be able to rake in the requisite cash doesn’t appear to be prevalent and fundraising contingencies are in place for any eventuality - but there’s that potential shortfall figure in mind and with today being the last opportunity the administrators have to part with saleable assets, player exits are more than possible.
So who could go?
As things stand, the understanding is that of all the players of interest, Bailey Cadamarteri is perhaps the most likely to depart. The young forward has been the subject of a number of bids since the turn of the year, with The Star of the understanding that £800k offers from Blackburn Rovers and Millwall were both knocked back last week. A number of other clubs have also been turned away and big interest remains.
His demeanour leaving the pitch on Saturday suggested he feels it could have been his last game for the club. With big potential and a contract that runs through to 2028 the feeling is he could recoup a large fee. Cadamarteri’s sale would represent a painful moment for the club given his potential.
The Star has a dedicated Sheffield Wednesday WhatsApp Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click here to join
Yan Valery is another saleable asset who has sparked interest elsewhere. Rangers and Wrexham are understood to be among his admirers, though it’s understood that Wrexham’s signing of Zak Vyner has cooled their engines. The Star has reason to believe that as things stand, interest from abroad could prove to be the main player in whether Valery stays or goes. His contract runs to the summer of 2027.
Another player who has been the subject of rejected bids is Svante Ingelsson. The mood music has changed here in that a sale was seen as probable earlier in the window - but is less so now. Portsmouth and Millwall lodged rejected bids of around £300k and it’s understood that while interest remains - other Championship clubs are also keen - it’ll take a shift in circumstances and price point for a deal to be done.
Ike Ugbo is a player who could leave on loan, with all parties understood to be working to find a way towards a fresh start given his extended struggles at S6. Interest appears most prevalent from North America and Belgium and a deal could be struck as clubs look to add striker options to their squad. Elsewhere, Charlie McNeill is believed to be a player who has raised enquiry but is not expected to leave in this window.
A surprise story around Max Lowe is not out of the question, with clubs in the MLS and Turkey understood to be keen. Lowe is injured but the dates of transfer windows and the MLS season itself could open things up for something, unlikely as that is as things stand. Clubs abroad are able to offer Lowe pre-contract terms due to the coming expiry of his contract this summer.
What about incomings?
Wednesday added a fourth new loan addition to their squad on Sunday, with Tayo Adaramola joining from Crystal Palace to offer vital assistance at left wing-back. The suggestion is that a further loan slot is available and though potential names are thin on the ground as things stand, the Owls’ recruitment team are known to have been in conversations with clubs to draw-up a shortlist and have built up a solid track record of reacting fast to opportunities.
One name is that of Zain Silcott-Duberry, the former Chelsea youngster now at Olympiakos. The Star reported interest in the 20-year-old last week and it was confirmed by Pedersen that he was training with the Owls as they sought to take a closer look at where the youngster is with his fitness. It’s believed a loan move is possible, though the potential cancellation of his contract in Greece would open up the potential of a free agent deal depending on what they’re able to go after.
The tremendously-named Marvelous Nakamba is another possibility, with The Star of the understanding that there’s the possibility his Luton Town contract could be cancelled in order to facilitate a free agent switch. Those deals can be achieved after the deadline if required - depending on what assurances Wednesday can offer the EFL on their viability. Nakamba is a central midfielder and that position is believed to be a priority.
There will be a host of names yet to be revealed no doubt.