Another Sheffield Wednesday player is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer, after Will Vaulks recently departed.
Will Vaulks has officially left Sheffield Wednesday and signed for Championship rivals Oxford United.
The Welshman spent two seasons at Sheffield Wednesday and was named the club’s Player of the Season for his performances in the 2023/24 campaign.
He joins the likes of Lee Gregory and Reece James who’ve already penned deals with new clubs this summer, whilst George Byers has also become a free agent.
Goalkeeper Cameron Dawson is also tipped to leave Sheffield Wednesday; he was offered a new deal, per the club’s retained list, but looks set to pursue first-team opportunities elsewhere.
There’s also huge question marks over the future of Di’Shon Bernard, who is also out of contract this summer.
He’s understandably been offered fresh terms after his impressive 2023/24 season but is currently away on international duty with Jamaica, who are featuring in this summer’s Copa America.
Josh Windass is another key player out of contract, and it now seems like he’s set to leave Sheffield Wednesday as a free agent.
Josh Windass set to leave Sheffield Wednesday as a free agent
An emerging report from Football Insider has claimed that Windass and Sheffield Wednesday have been unable to agree terms over a new deal.
Windass, 30, scored six goals in the Championship last season, scoring three in each of Wednesday’s last three games to fire the Owls to safety.
There were reports that Windass and the club were nearing an agreement over a new deal. But Football Insider now say otherwise.
Their report says that Windass has ‘has rejected a final contract offer’ from the club and will leave as a free agent this summer, with Coventry City and Hull City currently leading the race for his signature.
Windass initially joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan in 2020, making his stay permanent the same year.
He’s scored 40 goals and assisted 17 more in 135 total appearances for the Owls, memorably scoring the only goal in the League One play-off final victory over Barnsley in 2023.
Will Sheffield Wednesday miss Josh Windass
There’s no doubting that Windass has scored some hugely important goals for Sheffield Wednesday in the past.
He scored the penultimate goals in the past two seasons, showing his class when it mattered most after what was an overall tough 2023/24 season.
Windass has often been plagued by injuries and inconsistent spells of form. But on the whole, he’s a big player for Sheffield Wednesday.
The fact that the Owls offered him a new deal tells us that Danny Rohl wanted to keep him, so losing him will come as a blow to Rohl.
But Sheffield Wednesday are in need of a squad makeover, and in need of an injection of youth within the first-team.
Vaulks’ departure and now Windass’ apparent exit may be hard to take, but it’s part of the process for Sheffield Wednesday.
Windass’ exit will likely open up a large chunk in the wage bill too, which Rohl can fill with one or two exciting, younger players.
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