Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals Sheffield Wednesday "worry" if Pierce Charles leaves for Strasbourg | OneFootball

Don Goodman feels that, if the money is invested in the right way, selling Pierce Charles could be a win for the Owls

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion striker Don Goodman feels that, if the money is right and invested positively, then a Pierce Charles sale into a season-long loan back to Hillsborough would be a "win-win" for Sheffield Wednesday

The 20-year-old emerged as the Owls' number one towards the back end of last season, and, due to the mass exodus of players, now stands as arguably Wednesday's most valuable player.

Charles has been in the spotlight throughout the opening few games of the new season, making 11 saves in their opening day defeat to Leicester City, which many believe will be a sign of things to come, given the club's defensive frailties.

Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg has emerged as a potential suitor for the young Northern Irishman, with the French club even willing to send him back on loan to Sheffield Wednesday this season and pay his full wage whilst he's there, according to a report from the Sheffield Star.

Strasbourg have already had a £2 million bid knocked back, with Wednesday holding out for a valuation closer to a reported £8 million.

Sky Sports pundit Goodman had his say on these links in an exclusive interview with Football League World, and believes that if the Owls can bank a hefty fee and keep their shot-stopper for the season, it may be the best thing for the club to do.

Don Goodman hopes that a possible £8 million fee for Pierce Charles would be reinvested positively

"I guess it's all about the money for Sheffield Wednesday," Goodman said. "And what the motive is for getting the money in, if it's money that Pierce Charles is worth."

The 20-year-old is relatively inexperienced in senior football and has been thrown in the deep end for a side expected to concede a lot of shots this season. However, he's shown massive potential in the short time he's spent in between the sticks.

"We're talking about a goalkeeper with enormous potential, but the fact is that he's played 10 league games in his career and hasn't kept a clean sheet yet. That's not his fault, because he's not being protected," he continued.

"But from his perspective, if it's a move to Strasbourg, where Liam Rosenior is doing really well and has identified him as a talent, and a loan back to Sheffield Wednesday...for the right amount of money and a sum that would help the football club, then who knows?

"It has to be invested into the club in the right way, and everyone's got their price, but you just worry that with the man in charge at Sheffield Wednesday, whether rash decisions will be made, rather than business decisions which are in the best interests of the club? We'll wait and see."

Goodman's concerns likely reflect those of the Wednesday fanbase, who have lost complete trust in current owner Dejphon Chansiri and his ability to fund the club properly.

If a talent such as Charles was sold, it's a valid worry to say that the money wouldn't be used to positively impact the football club as a whole.

"He's a talented goalkeeper, he's going to be great, and if Wednesday can sell him for a big amount and then loan him back for the rest of the season, then it might be a win-win for them," Goodman concluded.

"But there's a lot of water to come under that bridge, I'd suspect."

Losing Pierce Charles may be the final straw for Sheffield Wednesday fans

It's safe to say that a lot of the soul of Sheffield Wednesday has been torn out over the summer. A lot of key players have departed, and the Owls look destined for relegation.

The only real bright spark left in the club is their 20-year-old starlet, and it'll be imperative to keep him for the season, not only to give the side a fighting chance at keeping the ball out of the net, but also because he seems to be the only player of real value remaining.

In a window which has seen players depart on free transfers, or in Djedi Gassama's case, highly cut prices, the same cannot happen to Charles.

Wednesday will be hoping that the 20-year-old can stay at the club for the foreseeable future, but with clubs in the Premier League or on the brink of European football, in Strasbourg's case, coming knocking, it's an inevitability that won't be the case.

Therefore, the club must get the best deal possible for their shot-stopper, and if a loan move can be included back to Hillsborough, it may be the best-case scenario in an ongoing terrible situation.