What Garry Monk said about the pursuit of Connor Wickham and other targets as transfer window rumbles on

And asked about the club’s ongoing links with Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham, the Owls boss admitted the club are finding it difficult to nail down signings in what he admits is a ‘competitive’ loans market.

Wickham, who has enjoyed two fruitful loans spells with Wednesday in the past, featured in the Eagles’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City over the weekend. Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted that he would be open to letting the 26-year-old leave if he wanted to.

“I’m not here to discuss targets,” Monk said on the Wickham links.

“As I said at the very start, it’s a very difficult market we’re in, that loans market. It’s competitive.

“It’s not just about wanting a player and agreeing things from your side. It has to be agreed from the other side. There’s competition. There’s decisions that need to be made, not just from us. From players that might be involved, from clubs that might be involved.

“So it’s not just as simple as saying you want that player and we’re prepared to give this. That’s why it takes that time.”

Earlier in the window Monk refused to rule out moves for the likes of Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster, who has since signed for Swansea, and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal, who is believed to be staying put.

And though he wasn’t to be drawn on names the Owls manager admitted they had missed out on targets and reiterated the need for additions.

He said: “We have certain players that are targets we’ve had to move on from because you can’t [get them done]. Some go further down the line and it gets turned around and all those things. Because of all those variables that are involved in it.

“We know the need for it, it’s clear. I’m very hopeful of it and all I can say is the club are working as hard as we can to make sure we can get one or two across the line.”