What is going on with Sheffield Wednesday’s move to sign Duncan Watmore? | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a deal to sign Duncan Watmore

Sheffield Wednesday added Nathan Redmond and Liam Cooper to their first team squad but have yet to confirm any deal for Duncan Watmore.

It was reported in September that the Owls are keen on a deal for the forward, as they look to strengthen the side amid their financial issues.

The Yorkshire outfit are currently in administration, with new owners being sought, which has restricted their ability to bring in new players.

Sheffield Wednesday are currently under an embargo that prevents them from paying a fee to sign players, but they were given permission from the EFL to add two free agents in November.

This led to Cooper and Redmond joining the Championship side, who are currently rooted to the bottom of the table, but Watmore remains unattached to a club.

Sheffield Wednesday’s pursuit of Duncan Watmore

Sheffield Wednesday will need to clear their remaining EFL breaches before being granted permission to add any more free agent signings to their squad.

According to The Star, the Owls will need to get out the other side of administration before any deals can be completed.

It’s understood that the next owners of the Yorkshire outfit, with a preferred bidder not yet named, will have to provide the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting United with assurances regarding cashflow in order to ratify a takeover.

That means it could take a number of weeks for the club to change hands once a preferred bidder is chosen, which could bleed into January.

However, Sheffield Wednesday will still be prevented from paying a fee to sign a player, so free agents will remain a crucial part of their squad-building.

It’s believed that the Owls sought permission from the EFL to add Watmore along with the signings of Redmond and Cooper, but this was rejected by the league.

The forward has been training with Sheffield Wednesday as he seeks a new team, but he will not be allowed to join Pedersen’s squad until all EFL rule breaches have been cleared.

Duncan Watmore’s availability amid Sheffield Wednesday interest

Watmore has been available since the summer following his exit from Millwall, where he spent the last two years.

The 31-year-old made 26 appearances in the Championship last season, contributing five goals and one assist as the Lions earned an eighth place finish under Alex Neil.

However, he has yet to find a new club in the months since his departure despite being linked with a number of opportunities.

Rotherham United boss Matt Hamshaw revealed in November that the League One side are interested in the forward.

Meanwhile, Stockport County manager Dave Challinor explained last month that they considered a deal for the striker, but ultimately opted against the move.

It remains to be seen when a preferred bidder to take over Sheffield Wednesday will be named, with an initial deadline of 5 December set to be extended.

A number of names have been linked with a takeover, including Mike Ashley and John McEvoy, with Dejphon Chansiri’s time in charge of the Championship side now over after the club went into administration on 24 October.