Sheffield Wednesday could yet lose steely midfielder Will Vaulks this summer.
Will Vaulks sees his Sheffield Wednesday contract expire next month. The club announced via their retained list that the Welshman has been offered fresh terms, but he’s yet to sign the deal.
Whether or not he stays in S6 for what would be a third season remains to be seen; it comes after a strong 2023/24 campaign for Vaulks who featured 34 times in the Championship, proving pivotal in the run-in.
Although the 30-year-old proved inconsistent at times, he was an overall important player in Sheffield Wednesday’s eventual 20th place finish.
Per Sofascore, Vaulks ended the season as the player with the highest-average rating, behind only Barry Bannan, averaging the third-most passes-per-game and topping the charts for tackles-per-game.
But with uncertainty around his future, Danny Rohl must consider potential replacements, and there could be one at Vaulks’ former club Cardiff City.
Sheffield Wednesday must join race for Ebou Adams
Gambian international Ebou Adams, like Vaulks, faces an uncertain summer ahead with Derby County desperate to make him a permanent player after he impressed on loan in 2023/24.
He joined in the winter transfer window, going on to feature 17 times in League One, with one goal and one assist.
But it was Adams’ energy and steel in the midfield which made him such a fan favourite; he made more tackles-per-game than Vaulks last season (2.8 compared to Vaulks’ 2.5) and was closely-matched with Vaulks for balls recovered-per-game (5.4 for Vaulks and 5.1 for Adams).
He’s a very similar player and his highlights prove that. But he’s also someone with pace and energy, averaging 7.9 duels won-per-game compared to Vaulks’ 4.9.
Can Sheffield Wednesday sign Ebou Adams from Cardiff City
Reports soon after the end of the 2023/24 season revealed that Derby County were plotting a £250,000 bid for Adams, and that Cardiff were ready to let the 28-year-old go.
But the Bluebirds want £500,000. Since, news of Adams to Derby has gone quiet, potentially due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Cardiff boss Erol Bulut.
Sheffield Wednesday though may be willing to spend this summer with reports that Dejphon Chansiri may dip into his pockets to sign the right players this summer.
And half-a-million pounds for Adams could be a steal; Sheffield Wednesday lack bodies in what is an ageing midfield, and if Vaulks leaves, Rohl will desperately need a midfielder who can protect the defence.
Stats show that Adams can do just that, but the Owls would surely need to strike soon.
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