Sheffield Wednesday have entered into contract discussions with forward Josh Windass having secured Championship safety, according to The Star.
The Owls have been battling instant relegation back to League One all season having endured a nightmare start to life in the second tier. Xisco Munoz was handed the reins following the departure of Darren Moore last summer, although failed to win any of his 12 matches in charge before being dismissed in October.
The unknown Dany Rohl was then drafted in, eventually pulling off a minor miracle by winning four and drawing two of their final six matches. Their upturn in fortunes coincided with the return from injury of talisman Windass in April, with the 30-year-old netting in the last three games of the campaign.
The attacker – who scored the winning goal in the play-off final victory over Barnsley last May – is out of contract in the coming weeks. As things stand, he is set to bring his four-year stay at Hillsborough to an end.
With their Championship status confirmed, Wednesday are keen to retain the services of the former Rangers man though. According to reports, the Yorkshire outfit are said to have entered discussions over a new deal.
📸 Windass celebrating our second goal at the Stadium of Light!
There will be five added minutes at the end of the first half
🔴0-2🦉#SUNSHW | @mkmbs pic.twitter.com/pU5IYEIhbY
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) May 4, 2024
Windass had previously attracted interest from both the United States and Argentina in January. Speaking at the time, he addressed the links:
“It is what it is. I know there are situations going on with the transfer window, and there are probably more important things to sort out, but I’ve had a good four years here… It doesn’t really matter to me, I just want to keep playing my football and I feel like I’m playing well. Hopefully if I keep doing that then I’ll start scoring the goals I know I can score.
“I’m free in the summer, so I’ve obviously had offers… It’s got nothing to do with location, it’s all about the football. I genuinely just want to concentrate on playing well – I know the better I play the more I might get offered, for instance, and the better I play the better it is for everybody.”
Meanwhile, club captain Barry Bannan is expected to remain at the club, saying after Saturday’s victory over Sunderland:
“I’ve not signed anything yet but I’m confident that I’ll still be here next season from speaking with the manager and stuff.
“I’ve made it quite clear I want to stay here for the rest of my career and I’m 34 now, if I can keep going a year, a year, a year, I can see how far I can go.
“I’m still running around and I’m not feeling my age just yet – as much as I say that, this club can make you feel your age a wee bit! My legs feel good and for as long as I can go, I’ll be a Sheffield Wednesday player.
“It’s a case of getting this out of the way and then sorting it whenever. I am confident I’ll still be here.”
Writer’s View
Sheffield Wednesday were wise to delay any contract negotiations until the end of the season. Whilst it was unclear what division they would be playing in next season, it would’ve been crazy to make offers they may have ended up regretting, although the players would’ve shared those thoughts.
Windass was unlikely to want to drop back into League One and he would’ve had plenty of offers. Of course, this could still be the case as there are no guarantees he will accept the Owls’ offer. However, it does appear as if he will remain at Hillsborough.
