Sheffield Wednesday take step forward with announcement of important player deal
Bernard proved a popular figure in his maiden season with the Owls last time out, playing 36 times as a key man as they pulled off an unlikely survival effort with three wins in the last three games of the Championship season. He joined on a one-year deal last summer after his release from Manchester United.
The Jamaica international was offered a new contract in May as per the club’s retained list but the situation went unresolved until now as talks continued throughout the summer. Discussions are said to have been parked during the 23-year-old’s involvement in the Copa America, which saw Bernard play in all three group stage matches before elimination.
News of Bernard’s signing will serve as a boost to Wednesday heading into this weekend’s departure to Germany for the second of their pre-season camps. The Star revealed on Wednesday evening that talks had progressed and that a deal was looking likely – the talented young centre-half is expected to make the trip to Europe and join up with his teammates. Other clubs are believed to have expressed interest in Bernard this summer.
It comes after fellow key man Josh Windass and Dominic Iorfa were tied to new deals at the turn of the month. Elder statesmen Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer signed on earlier. With a raft of new signings through the door, Wednesday have been proactive in their summer plans and are looking to push on to steer well clear of any repeat of a Championship relegation battle this time out.
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‘Contact made’: Sunderland’s league rivals interested in ex-Newcastle duo plus Leeds’ £30million valuation
Sunderland’s squad are in Spain for a week-long pre-season training camp – but how are their league rivals shaping up with less than a month to go until the new Championship campaign?
Here’s some of the latest transfer news and gossip from around the web concerning some of the Black Cats’ Championship competitors:
Sheffield United interested in ex-Newcastle duo
Following their relegation back to the Championship, Sheffield United have already signed four new players this summer, bringing in Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare, Sam McCallum and Jamie Shackleton.
The Blades are also reportedly interested in former Newcastle pair Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie, who were both released by the Magpies at the end of last season. According to our sister title the Sheffield Star, ‘contact was made with representatives of the two players in late June/early July,’ while both have admirers elsewhere.
