Trio 'plotting' moves for promotion hero as League One clubs 'interested' in ex-Sheffield Wednesday loanee
All the very latest transfer rumours from League One ahead of the summer transfer window opening on June 15.
With less than a fortnight to go until the start of the summer transfer window, it goes without saying that a massive summer is on the horizon for Sheffield Wednesday.
Following the completion of Arise Capital Partners’ takeover last month, everyone associated with the Owls is looking forward with a sense of optimism and belief after such a distressing past 12 months or so.
However, there is no escaping the fact that Wednesday have a long road ahead of them amid the need for a major rebuilding project. The first-team squad needs strengthening in just about every department, meaning it is not unrealistic to suggest the Owls could need somewhere in the region of 15-20 new signings this summer.
However, until incoming sporting director Simon Wilson is officially appointed, Wednesday’s recruitment plans are unlikely to get off the ground. Nevertheless, work is still ongoing behind the scenes in preparation for the window opening on June 15.
Elsewhere in League One, some clubs are beginning to get pre-contract agreements over the line, while others are at the centre of the rumour mill. With that said, here are some of the latest headline’s concerning Wednesday’s League One counterparts...
Trio eyeing promotion-winner
League One trio Bradford City, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle are ‘plotting’ moves for soon-to-be free agent George Johnston, according to Football League World. The centre-back will become a free agent at the end of this month when his contract with Bolton Wanderers officially expires.
After helping Bolton secure promotion back to the Championship less than a fortnight ago, the Greater Manchester outfit announced he would not be offered a new deal and will subsequently be released. He was their longest-serving player after arriving in June 2021.
Donning the captain’s armband at Wembley for Wanderers’ 4-1 win over Stockport County in the League One play-off final last month, the Liverpool academy graduate, 27, is said to be attracting interest from the aforementioned League One trio. Scottish outfit Hearts have also been credited with interest in his signature.
Bradford missed out on promotion in the League One play-off semi-finals after being beaten by Bolton, losing 2-0 on aggregate, while Luton and Plymouth finished one point and two points shy of the top-six respectively.
League One duo chasing former Wednesday shot-stopper
According to a report by West London Sport, MK Dons and Plymouth Argyle are ‘interested’ in signing former Wednesday loanee and QPR goalkeeper Murphy Cooper. The shot-stopper spent the second half of this season on loan at Hillsborough after first-choice shot-stopper Pierce Charles suffered a second shoulder injury of the season in January.
However, an injury of his own, coupled with Charles’ return to full fitness in March, meant Cooper, 24, was limited to just eight appearances in Wednesday colours. His stint at Hillsborough marked his second loan of the campaign after spending the first half of the season at Barnsley.
He impressed across both stints in South Yorkshire, and it is now claimed that MK Dons and Plymouth are keen to sign the shot-stopper, ‘potentially on a permanent basis, although a loan deal is still possible’.
A number of Wednesday supporters have already made it clear that they believe he would be an ideal replacement for Charles should the Northern Ireland shot-stopper leave Hillsborough this summer.
Cooper told The Star back in April that he would be open to the prospect of returning to Wednesday, admitting: “I think my standpoint is that I absolutely love the club. I have only played seven games here and I have loved it. So I would be 100 per cent open to coming back - and that's something I could definitely want to happen.
“But I think it's difficult in my position. There might be a decision out of my hands. Obviously, I love QPR, I've been there for 15 years now, so it would be difficult to leave there.”