David Storch reveals complication stopping Sheffield Wednesday signing Jamie Vardy | OneFootball

The Owls are working through restrictions to sign the former Premier League winner

Sheffield Wednesday owner David Storch has confirmed the club would like to sign Jamie Vardy.

The Owls are working to find a way around their current EFL restrictions to make an offer to the former England international.

Vardy, 39, is a free agent after leaving Leicester City at the end of last season and is expected to have options elsewhere.

The striker is also a lifelong Wednesday supporter and spent time in the club’s academy as a youngster, adding an obvious sense of intrigue to the possibility of a return to Hillsborough.

Storch’s comments, made during an interview with talkSPORT on Saturday morning, represent the clearest indication yet that Vardy is a genuine target for the newly relegated League One club.

David Storch confirms Sheffield Wednesday want Jamie Vardy

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Asked about the possibility of bringing Vardy to Hillsborough, Storch was unequivocal about the club’s interest.

“At some point, I'll be able to tell a story. This might not be the right time, but yeah, Jamie is somebody that we would like to have in our club,” Storch said.

Pressed further, the Wednesday owner added: “Let's just say he'd be somebody that we would be thrilled to have in the club.

“Unfortunately, we do have these restrictions. We're trying to figure out how to get around the restrictions to put something in front of Jamie that would make sense for him.”

Wednesday emerged from administration with restrictions on their recruitment, meaning they are currently limited to free transfers and loans. Storch admitted that the reality of those restrictions has proved more difficult than he initially anticipated.

“The club is handicapped,” he said. “We came out of administration with certain restrictions on what we could and couldn't do, and I was less informed in terms of how it actually would play out.

“And unfortunately, it's played out a little harder than we expected.”

Storch nevertheless expressed confidence in sporting director Simon Wilson’s ability to work within those constraints and assemble a competitive squad.

Sheffield Wednesday face major challenge to sign Jamie Vardy

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Vardy’s availability on a free transfer means Wednesday are not required to negotiate a transfer fee, but the financial implications of any deal remain significant given the club’s current restrictions.

If a move can genuinely be structured sensibly, then it becomes an obvious opportunity - any free agent of that calibre on manageable wages is, in principle, a no-brainer.

That said, there is still a clear sense that the club will not want to be reckless, even if the appetite for ambition is growing again.

The striker’s pedigree also means Wednesday are unlikely to have the field to themselves.

Vardy remains a recognisable name after a remarkable career at Leicester, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup, while he also earned 26 England caps.

Storch has now made the club’s position clear: if the Owls can find a way to make the numbers work, Vardy is somebody they would be “thrilled” to bring back to Hillsborough.

There is, however, a growing sense that this is a different Wednesday to the one supporters have become used to - one that is at least trying to operate with more discipline and intent, even if caution still has to play a part.

With Vardy now confirmed as a player Wednesday would like to recruit, the focus turns to whether Wilson and the club’s hierarchy can find a route through those restrictions.