Where things stand with Sheffield Wednesday as transfer window opens up

Though no embargo was ever acknowledged by the club, there were hopes that the reported embargo would be lifted by the time the opening of the window rolled around - but with complexities surrounding the sale of Hillsborough and delay of the last round of accounts, they are not thought to have been submitted yet.

There was also a delay due to the disciplinary commission last year.

Wednesday – and others – have until July 31st to submit their accounts to Companies House after being given an extended period to do so during the pandemic, however the English Football League decided against having the same deadline and placed a number of clubs under embargo.

As previously reported by The Star, clubs under a registration embargo such as Wednesday’s are allowed to add to the squad – but only where they have less than 23 established players.

To be considered ‘established’ a player has to be over the age of 21, and need to have been in a starting XI in at least five games in competitions such as the FA Cup, Carabao Cup or in league matches - five Premier League appearances is also thought to tick the ‘established’ box.

They can’t, however, pay any fees – whether for transfers, loans or to agents. Effectively, they can sign enough players to make up 23 ‘established’ players as long as they don’t pay anything for (or to) anyone.

Given that the Owls are largely working within the free agent and loan market anyway, the current embargo does not affect them too greatly – the ongoing wages issue, meanwhile, does.

As previously reported, with a number of players said to be considering walking out if not paid in full, fixing that is the number one priority at Hillsborough – which comes as no surprise as attracting new players with that hanging over the club’s head.

Progress is being made on the accounts – and there is hopeful that the wages situation can be rectified in the near future, too – but until these two issues are sorted then Darren Moore will still be working with a cloud over Middlewood Road.

Sheffield Wednesday’s youth plans ahead of new arrivals

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details at www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.