The prospect of Sheffield Wednesday rushing out to sign any squad-bolstering free agents doesn’t appear to be a live one as things stand - but the options are out there should they be required.
The Owls sealed-off their manic summer with the loan addition of Wrexham attacker Davis Keillor-Dunn, a proven goal-getter at League One level that made his debut for the club in the 2-1 win at Peterborough United over the weekend. The publication of their EFL squad list showed five places open - meaning in theory free agents could be signed to bolster their numbers.
Henrik Pedersen and sporting director Simon Wilson played down the idea of any further additions in the immediate future, though Wilson did outline the ongoing efforts of the recruitment team in keeping tabs on any options that could align for the Owls’ needs going forward.
He said: “Should there be a situation where we have to, we have to know who those players are, where they are and be across their situation. So, yeah, Kevin (Beadell) and the recruitment team are constantly around that and understanding what options we might have should we need them.”
With that in mind, we asked Owls fan and sometime EFL club analyst TWFootball to run the rule over the remaining options in the window. Including a former England international, Man City and Arsenal academy graduates and one or two names you may recognise, here’s what he came up with.
5. Miguel Reisinho
The Portuguese midfielder is available after Mamelodi Sundowns ended his contract by mutual consent in late August. Reisinho spent one limited season in South Africa after six years at Boavista, where he made 77 league appearances. A left-footed central or attacking midfielder with a good technical profile, at 27 he could offer midfield depth and composure on the ball. | AFP via Getty Images
6. Jadel Katongo
The former Manchester City academy defender is a free agent after being released by Turkish side Kayserispor in July. Katongo had two productive loans at Peterborough United and made 10 Süper Lig appearances after a January move. Comfortable at centre-back or right-back and a natural ball-playing defender, the 21-year-old England youth international would add young, athletic cover. | Getty
7. Filip Stevanovic
The Serbian winger is available after leaving Belgian side Lommel this summer. Once a highly rated Partizan talent who joined Manchester City, he had loans at Heerenveen, Santa Clara and RKC Waalwijk before a limited spell in Belgium. A right-footed left winger with early senior experience, at 23 he is a low-cost option with remaining upside if his career can be relaunched. | Getty Images
8. Tom Holmes
The 26-year-old centre-back became a free agent on 1 September after Luton Town terminated his contract by mutual consent. A Reading academy graduate with more than 120 appearances for the Royals, Holmes had spells at Luton plus loans at Rotherham and in Belgium. Tall and comfortable at centre-back or right-back, he would provide Championship-experienced defensive cover.