Exclusive: Sheffield Wednesday in talks to seal new Aston Villa transfer | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are in talks to seal a third deal from Aston Villa this summer in the form of Tommi O'Reilly, Football League World understands

Sheffield Wednesday have been the EFL's busiest club in the transfer window so far and with deals continually being worked on behind-the-scenes, Football League World can exclusively reveal that the Owls have entered discussions to seal what would represent a third summer agreement with Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

The David Storch era is truly alive and kicking at Hillsborough following Arise Capital Partners' warmly-received takeover of the club back in May, which has provided the scope to initiate a squad rebuilding process and bring a host of new additions to this side of the Steel City.

Henrik Pedersen has already welcomed eight fresh faces to his squad ahead of the 2026/27 League One campaign, and it's one that the Owls are now heading into with no shortage of optimism and expectation.

Wednesday simply had to be busy this summer and that's exactly how it's played out to date, with what was a depleted and threadbare squad receiving some much-needed bolstering. The Owls were able to return club legend Barry Bannan after his short stay with Millwall alongside former Lions teammate Billy Mitchell and Joe Lumley has also rejoined, whereas Harry Gray, Jordi Liongola, Ricardo Santos and Callum Slattery have all arrived and both Louie Barry and Sil Swinkels have been picked up in eye-catching from Aston Villa.

Wednesday's raids on Villa Park are not completely over, however, with the League One promotion hopefuls undertaking discussions in an effort to secure yet another young talent from Emery's side.

Sheffield Wednesday in talks to seal Aston Villa, Tommi O'Reilly transfer

Sheffield Wednesday intend on completing further moves in the market before initiating the upcoming third-tier campaign away at Leyton Orient on August 15, and Football League World can disclose the identity of one target who could soon be joining a raft of additions in S6 if advancing talks can come to fruition.

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That player is Aston Villa prospect Tommi O'Reilly, who has emerged as a serious target for the Owls in recent times ahead of a potential move this summer.

Indeed, FLW has learned that Wednesday are in talks to bring the midfielder to the club on loan for the duration of next season in what would be yet another impressive pinch from the Villans after snapping up both Barry and Swinkels permanently.

There's clearly a positive relationship between the two clubs that has been fostered from more than one deal being completed so far this summer, and Wednesday are hoping to make it three signings from Villa with the capture of O'Reilly.

Capable of operating in attacking midfield or on the right-hand side, the highly-rated 22-year-old enjoyed a strong loan spell in League Two with Crewe Alexandra last time out by providing seven goals and 13 assists from 50 appearances across all competitions.

Having previously endured more mixed temporary stints at Real Union, Shrewsbury Town and MK Dons, O'Reilly was among the fourth-tier's most productive attacking operators at the Mornflake Stadium in 25/26 and Wednesday's key decision-makers believe there is ample evidence to suggest that the versatile playmaker is capable of making the step-up to League One next term.

O'Reilly's performances for Crewe have placed a host of suitors on alert, with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Portsmouth and Oxford United having previously been linked with his services, although it's the Owls who have now emerged as the front-runners to sign the versatile playmaker and will be aiming to advance negotiations and get a deal over the line in the coming days.