Sheffield Wednesday offer defiant response to Portsmouth transfer bid that 'wasn't enough'
Henrik Pedersen offered a defiant response to questions on Portsmouth’s interest in midfielder Svante Ingelsson.
Over the weekend the Owls played out a 22nd match on the spin without a win in what has been a horror campaign on and off the field. Players are likely to leave the administration-stricken club before the January transfer window is out, with a host of players of interest to a range of clubs.
Yisa Alao’s switch to Premier League Chelsea is expected to complete in the coming days, with skipper Barry Bannan set for Millwall amid an emotional send-off at Bristol City over the weekend. Yan Valery is a player of interest to Rangers and Wrexham among others, while Bailey Cadamarteri remains the subject of admiration from a number of clubs after a bid from Scottish side Hibernian was rejected.
The Star revealed on Friday evening that the Owls had rejected a bid from Championship colleagues Portsmouth for midfielder Svante Ingelsson. The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, though it’s understood Wednesday hold a year’s extension clause on his deal.
Speaking to The Star after the defeat at Ashton Gate, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen suggested the bid was some way short of Wednesday’s valuation. “I can just say that there is a general interest for many players,” the Dane said. “Yisa, I think we can something will happen soon for him. Svante, we turned a bid down - because Svante is much better than this (the level of offer). Of course there is interest for more of the players. The administrators say that right now we are not right now forced to sell and of course I want to keep as many as possible.”
It remains to be seen if Portsmouth return with a more competitive bid for Ingelsson, who is also known to be of keen interest to other Championship clubs.
Wednesday are working on strengthening their threadbare numbers, with conversations ongoing with clubs over potential loan additions. The Owls are operating to tight financial restrictions and are reliant on clubs helping them out with agreements on wage contributions. The immediate primary focus is on bringing in a left-back, though any departures of existing figures are expected to open up the opportunity to bring in more players, with each deal considered on a case-by-case by the EFL.