Sheffield Wednesday are optimistic about their chances of beating two fellow Championship clubs to sign Brighton and Hove Albion Academy keeper, James Beadle.
The youngster has thrived on loan at League One title-contenders Oxford United, appearing 25 times for the club and keeping seven clean sheets.
Also representing England at youth international level, Beadle was left out of the U’s FA Cup squad in their defeat to Coventry City on Saturday.
The Sheffield Star reported that the Seagulls are preparing to recall the 19-year-old in order to move him to a Championship side, with the Owls in pole position for his signature.
Beadle has connections to the club already, with Wednesday goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo having previously worked with him during his time in Sussex.
Brighton secured the keeper’s long-term future, signing a new four-year contract earlier this week. With Albion having both Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen challenging for the first-choice spot, developing the youngster in the Championship seems to be the club’s plan.
Wednesday do have competition with fellow Championship clubs for the Young Lions keeper, with Birmingham City and Bristol City also weighing up offers. The Star also report that Danny Röhl’s side has held positive talks with the Premier League club over a half-season loan.
With AC Milan loanee Devis Vasquez looking likely to return to Italy, Beadle seems the ideal option to be his replacement and offers more competition to Cameron Dawson on the teamsheet. The Colombian has not played a minute of football since Röhl arrived at Hillsborough in October and is seemingly out of favour.
Speaking to the Star, the German manager said it was likely for a new keeper to join should Vasquez leave, saying: “Yeah, for sure. We need this. The final decision is until now not made. We have something in our mind and let’s have a look what happens in the beginning of next week.
“I am looking forward to this and we will go forward. I will not speak about names but I think we will have a good sign.”
Writer’s View
James Beadle seems to be a popular option for a number of Championship clubs this window, with his time at the Kassam Stadium seeming to coming to a close. The 19-year-old has been a solid choice for Oxford United, conceding 29 goals across the season so far, and keeping seven clean sheets. His omission from the Yellow’s FA Cup squad, in addition to Des Buckingham’s comments after the match against Coventry, seems to point to a departure.
Beadle has to compete with Cameron Dawson for a spot in the squad, and after his heroics against Cardiff City last night might have his work cut out should he move to Yorkshire. Birmingham City could also be an option for him, where there are two ageing keepers in John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge in net. Whilst there is uncertainty about the manager situation still looming over the club, perhaps heading to St Andrew’s could be the best option for the youngster, where he can learn and develop under the guidance of two seasoned veterans of the second tier.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
