David Storch praised for 'good business' as Sheffield Wednesday strike £1m deal - 'we aren't naive' | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has given his reaction the imminent sale of midfielder Svante Ingelsson to Stoke City for more than £1 million.

It is set to be a busy summer for Sheffield Wednesday as they prepare for life back in League One.

After a season of turmoil, a new era is underway at Wednesday after David Storch's Arise Capital Partners consortium completed their takeover of the club last month, and there is plenty of work to do on the squad ahead of the upcoming season.

The Owls completed their first signing of the summer last week as defender Ricardo Santos made the move from Swansea City, and further new additions may be imminent, with deals for Sil Swinkels, Tayo Adaramola and Callum Slattery all thought to be close.

However, Wednesday are also at risk of losing some of their stars following their relegation from the Championship, and midfielder Svante Ingelsson appears to be edging closer to the exit door, with journalist Rob Staton reporting that the Swede is set to join Stoke City in a deal that could be worth more than £1 million.

Ingelsson has scored two goals and provided five assists in 79 appearances for the Owls since arriving from German side Hansa Rostock two years ago, and he was the subject of significant transfer interest in the January transfer window, with Millwall, Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion all said to have been keen.

Wednesday activated their option to extend Ingelsson's contract by a further year last month in an attempt to keep hold of him, but after the 28-year-old informed the club that he wished to remain in the second tier, he is now expected to make the switch to the bet365 Stadium having already agreed personal terms with the Potters.

Sheffield Wednesday fan reaction given as Svante Ingelsson closes in on Stoke City move

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When asked for his reaction to Ingelsson's imminent move to Stoke, FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna admitted that while he believes the midfielder could have been a key player in League One next season, receiving a seven-figure fee for his services represents strong business from the club.

"I think the £1 million fee for Ingelsson is good business on our behalf," Patrick told FLW.

"He had a year left on his contract, so that can hike the price down a bit naturally.

"Ingelsson was a useful player for us last season, and I think he would have been an asset in League One.

"However, he certainly isn't irreplaceable, and even with the new owners, we are still operating within guidelines, so it is a very handy £1 million to get in, as well as getting his wages of the bill.

"With the £1 million, that can be reinvested in the market we're in.

"In the past, we wouldn't have got a transfer fee for him, and I don't think we'd have driven such a good deal.

"I'm happy with that business, and it is an indication that, in these sorts of negotiations, we aren't naive or a pushover.

Sheffield Wednesday will have mixed emotions as Svante Ingelsson nears Hillsborough exit

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Ingelsson was one of the shining lights during Wednesday's relegation campaign last season, and he deservedly won the club's Player of the Year award, so losing him is a blow for the South Yorkshire outfit.

However, while Ingelsson produced plenty of committed and all-action performances for the Owls, he registered just seven goal contributions during his two-year spell at Hillsborough, and with his game lacking an end product, many supporters feel the club have done well to secure a fee of more than £1 million.

It could be argued that Stoke have overpaid somewhat for Ingelsson, but the deal clearly shows that, despite Wednesday still operating under restrictions in the transfer market, Storch will drive a hard bargain if he is to sell any more of the Owls' prized assets this summer.