Exclusive:'Difficult' admission made on Svante Ingelsson's Sheffield Wednesday future with clubs interested
Fan favourite midfielder Svante Ingelsson is a wanted man heading into a busy summer at Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen has admitted that it will be ‘difficult’ to keep hold of Svante Ingelsson this summer - though the club will do all it can to keep hold of him heading into what could be an interesting restart for the crisis-stricken club.
The Star revealed last week that there was renewed Championship interest in the Swedish midfielder, with Stoke City the latest club to make their admiration known after the Owls turned down offers from Portsmouth and Millwall in January. Ingelsson was also believed to have been of interest to the likes of West Brom and Preston North End but ultimately did not pursue any move due in part to personal circumstances.
Shortly after that news broke, Pedersen revealed he had already held discussions with his fellow Scandinavian over his future and was hopeful they could keep him on board in League One. Wednesday are understood to have a one-year extension clause on a deal that runs out in the coming weeks that will be enacted, meaning in theory any exit would have to be sanctioned via transfer. It is not known whether there are any relegation-related clauses in the terms of his deal.
“Of course there are clubs who are interested in Svante, he has been one of our top, top players this season,” Pedersen told The Star at an awards ceremony on Tuesday evening.
“But I also know that Sheffield Wednesday has gone into the blood of Svante, and he really loves to be here. And we will do everything to keep him, because he is one of our culture players, and most important culture player, so of course he will be important and a very important part of our identity also in the future.
“Of course it will be difficult, but there are a lot of things that are difficult - that does not mean that it's not possible. We just have to use our potential and do all that we can, and then also have a good feeling that we can extend and do something with Svante.”
The prospect of Ingelsson leaving S6 this summer leaves open the possibility that he has played his last game for the Owls. Having been a near ever-present throughout the season, the 27-year-old has missed their last three matches with a knee issue having left the field after an hour in a draw at Coventry City earlier this month.
Pedersen has ruled him out of an appearance in the sold-out final day outing against West Brom this weekend, making clear he will be recovered in a few weeks and will be rested and ready by the time pre-season comes back around.