Sheffield Wednesday contract talks ‘far from done’ as discussions continue
Wednesday confirmed as part of their retained list last week that new deals had been offered to seven senior players as they look ahead to the new season with Championship status secured. Confirmation of any of those new deals are yet to materialise – as is normal at this stage of the season – with many of the figures at the heart of discussions abroad on holiday.
The Star understands that some talks are likely to prove more complex than others in negotiation as the club continues to work with player representatives to come to an agreement. A source close to one of the proposed new deals described discussions over a new contract as ‘far from done’, while at least one other is understood to be the subject of important further talks.
The Owls will hope to tie down as many of the players as possible having identified them as players they want to take into the new campaign. All player contracts expire at the end of next month, with players set to return to Middlewood Road for preliminary pre-season training at the end of June.
Captain Barry Bannan spoke with confidence at the end of the season that his Wednesday career will continue into a 10th campaign, though the likes of Josh Windass and Di’Shon Bernard are understood to have been the subject of interest from elsewhere. The other players confirmed to have been offered new deals are Cameron Dawson, Dominic Iorfa, Liam Palmer and Will Vaulks.
Extension options on the contracts of Marvin Johnson and Callum Paterson have been triggered, with both players set to continue their Owls careers into the new season. Tyreeq Bakinson, Ciaran Brennan, George Byers, Juan Delgado and Reece James are all on the lookout for new employment having had their departures confirmed, while Lee Gregory has signed for League One newcomers Mansfield Town.
