Sheffield Wednesday takeover news: David Storch promise, Henrik Pedersen feelings, unwelcome wages saga | OneFootball

Football League World rounds up all the latest news regarding the Sheffield Wednesday takeover

David Storch has been named as Sheffield Wednesday's preferred bidder, but there are still processes the American has to navigate before completing his takeover.

The Owls remain in administration and were held to a 1-1 draw by Watford at Hillsborough on Tuesday, as Vivaldo Semedo scored a late equaliser for the Hornets.

Wednesday's draw with Watford marked the first time they avoided defeat since their trip to Blackburn Rovers on 29 December ended 0-0.

The South Yorkshire outfit, who have been deducted 18 points, were relegated to League One thanks to their 2-1 defeat to local rivals Sheffield United last month, and supporters are now far more concerned by the health of their club off the field.

Football League World rounds up all the latest Owls takeover news.

David Storch issues Sheffield Wednesday supporter promise in fresh interview

Following years of hardship under former owner Dejphon Chansiri, which ultimately culminated in administration, Wednesday supporters need their club's next owner to have their best interests at heart.

Therefore, the Hillsborough faithful may be pleased that Storch told BBC Radio Sheffield on Wednesday: "When we first met people from the Supporters' Trust, they shared with us a document they had produced called A Better Wednesday, and we read through the document and felt this was exactly how we want to behave and operate as owners.

"In fact, as we started going down the path of submitting our bid, I actually had all of our team, our bankers, our lawyers, our accountants, our consultants. I had them all read A Better Wednesday to get comfortable with the concept, because this is the concept, this is how we're going to behave.

"The fans are going to play a very important role. Michael (Storch) and I believe, and Tom Costin, who is a wonderful partner, we believe in fan engagement. We want player engagement, fandom engagement, community engagement, so the fans are critical.

"They will have a voice for sure."

The consortium that has been named as Wednesday's preferred bidder is known as Arise Capital Partners LLC, and is fronted by David Storch alongside Michael Storch and Costin, who all attended the Owls' aforementioned draw with Watford.

Henrik Pedersen's feelings towards Storch consortium revealed

While Storch's recent comments will appease the Wednesday fanbase, the American's consortium has also made a positive impression on key figures at Hillsborough.

talkSPORT reporter and Sheffield Star columnist Alan Biggs revealed via X on Thursday: "Understand SWFC's prospective new owners have made a favourable impression on club staff, including Henrik Pedersen.

"The Owls manager spoke to me recently about the need for 'good humans' besides 'good money.' Can’t put a price on the people being 'right'."

Storch's bid team will be tasked with deciding whether to keep Pedersen in the Hillsborough dugout, should they complete their takeover, which hinges on the EFL's Owner's and Directors' Test, while the Independent Football Regulator will be handed the power to ratify the Owls' sale by May.

Sheffield Wednesday set for stringent wage restrictions next term

Following this season's relegation from the Championship to League One, Wednesday will be desperate to avoid a further drop to League Two next term.

However, avoiding that scenario will be easier said than done, as the Owls are set to be deducted 15 points next season, as a result of the fact that Storch's bid has not met the amount required to pay the creditors 25p in the pound.

Furthermore, Wednesday's weekly wages will be capped at £7k per player next season, which will make them less competitive in the third tier than they would like.

After failure to pay players and staff wages in the latter months of Dejphon Chansiri, this feels another unwelcome wages saga that will set the new era back.