Football League World
·31 January 2024
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·31 January 2024
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder George Byers has been linked with League One side Blackpool ahead of the transfer deadline tomorrow.
Blackpool are looking for a swift return to the second tier, and Byers is a man who experienced the joys of promotion from the third tier last season at Hillsborough, with Blackpool hoping for him to help take them up, according to TEAMtalk.
The report claims that Byers, who is out of contract in the Steel City in six months' time, has emerged as a target for Neil Critchley, as he looks to add further experience and quality to a side that ran Premier League side Nottingham Forest close in the FA Cup Third Round in recent weeks.
This news comes as Sheffield Wednesday have weighed up the potential option of cashing in on his services during what will be their last chance to do so, instead of losing the ability to recoup some of the funds paid to Swansea City for an undisclosed fee back in the summer of 2021.
Byers was on the bench in the recent league defeat to Coventry City, but has been out of the matchday squad in each of the club's other five games recently. However, he has registered 22 appearances this season, scoring once and assisting a further goal as well.
It was revealed by Byers back in November that no talks over a fresh deal at Hillsborough had surfaced, and therefore it's unsurprising to see the Seasiders attempt to force a quicker exit out of South Yorkshire.
Ex-England international and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Byers should be allowed to move to the Tangerines this window, if Danny Rohl's side are unlikely to utilise him for the remainder of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "Blackpool are keen on Sheffield Wednesday midfielder George Byers.
"Wednesday have reportedly not been interested in letting Byers leave the club, but it appears their stance has changed due to Byers being out of contract in the summer.
"Byers has not played for the Owls since the end of December, and whilst the rumours of Blackpool refuse to go away, there are other interested clubs in League One. "They're rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services, and you can see why, because most of his career has been spent in the Championship, but he has played in League One with Wednesday and Portsmouth. "Byers is 27 and if he's not in the manager's plans, which is the current situation, then you may as well let him go.
"It saves you losing him for nothing in the summer."
Rohl is surely willing to move on the 27-year-old who had previously featured as a regular in his side, if he is allowed to reinvest funds into new signings in S6 between now and Thursday's deadline.
The club have time to seal other deals, and removing Byers' wage from the wage bill, whilst also getting a fee of some sort for him, will surely help if put towards other options on the club's shortlist.
Wednesday's situation in terms of the league table makes signings not only important, but completely necessary, with others strengthening around them in January.