Sheffield Wednesday have a few gaps in their squad to plug this summer. And their retained list may have opened up a new one.
Sheffield Wednesday recently released their retained list following the conclusion of the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
And it’s highlighted the amount of work that the Owls need to do in the upcoming summer transfer window.
There’s gaps all over the pitch, but one specific issue that Danny Rohl might look to address is the ageing midfield.
It’s an ageing squad in general, but Sheffield Wednesday’s options in midfield; Barry Bannan, Liam Palmer, and Will Vaulks are all 30 years old or older now.
All three are technically out of contract next month as well, albeit having all received contract offers from Sheffield Wednesday.
Here are three central midfielders, all under the age of 30, who Rohl and Sheffield Wednesday could sign for £0 this summer…
Elijah Dixon-Bonner
Former Liverpool and England youth international Elijah Dixon-Bonner is out of contract this summer, though the R’s have offered him an extended stay.
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has tipped the 23-year-old for a bright future in football. But Cifuentes barely played the midfielder, who featured just three times in the Championship from February onwards.
Dixon-Bonner eventually ended the season with 24 Championship appearances and one assist from central midfield, largely playing a back-up role.
R’s fans though hold him in high regards, haling his ‘desire and energy’ and labelling him a ‘valuable’ player for the future.
He could get a lot more game time in S6 next season, if he becomes a free agent, and he’d help bring the average squad age down too.
Liam Walsh
Swansea City recently confirmed that 26-year-old midfielder Liam Walsh will be leaving the club this summer.
Former Everton youth man, Walsh represented England at U18s level, joining the Swans in 2021 and going on to play 34 times in all competitions, scoring twice.
Injuries hampered his 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, but Walsh managed to play 20 times in the 2023/24 Championship season.
He’s approaching his prime years in the game and after returning to full fitness in the second half of this season, Walsh will surely be eager to get out there and complete a full season.
He’s described as a ‘classy player’ by Swansea fans, and if he can stay injury-free, he’ll be a good capture for a lot of Championship clubs.
Shandon Baptiste
A more ambitious pursuit for Sheffield Wednesday this summer could be a swoop for departing Brentford midfielder Shandon Baptiste.
The 26-year-old made 78 total appearances for the Bees after joining from Oxford United in 2020, scoring twice and assisting five more.
Clubs are already lining up to sign the Grenada international who the Bees paid a reported fee of £2.25million for.
Brentford’s recruitment is the envy of many and although Baptiste leaves as a free agent, the fact that Brentford splashed out on him beforehand suggests that he’s still a player with potential.
He struggled for game time in the Premier League this season, featuring just 12 times. But he ended the campaign with an xG of 0.89 and a goal conversion of 50% after netting the one goal, also averaging 0.4 key passes per appearance, showcasing his class going forward.
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