Sheffield Wednesday transfer news: Pierce Charles replacement, Aston Villa twist, Jamie Vardy blow | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at all the latest transfer news emerging from Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday must have a busier transfer window than the majority of their fellow EFL clubs, as they need to oversee a rebuild following the takeover completed by David Storch's Arise Capital Partners consortium.

The Owls lost several players both last summer and in the winter transfer window, including club legend Barry Bannan, who joined Millwall.

However, Bannan is now nearing a Wednesday return, while Henrik Pedersen's side have already been busy in the market, signing defender Ricardo Santos from Swansea City.

With Santos now through the doors at Hillsborough Stadium, Football League World have taken a look at the other transfer stories emerging from S6.

Liam Cooper expresses delight at fresh Sheffield Wednesday contract

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Wednesday must sign plenty of new players this summer, but retaining familiar faces is equally important for a club that have lacked stability both on and off the field in recent times.

With that in mind, defender Liam Cooper has penned a new deal at Hillsborough, having made 14 Championship appearances for the Owls last term.

The 34-year-old suffered a season-ending injury when Pedersen's men were beaten by cross-city rivals Sheffield United and relegated to League One on 22 February.

However, provided he stays fit, the former Leeds United man could be a real asset for the Owls in the third tier.

After penning a fresh deal in S6 on Wednesday, the defender told the official club website: "It's a new era for Sheffield Wednesday and one I'm absolutely delighted to be part of. I can't tell you how delighted I am to be here.

"We can look forward now with the right people in the right roles. It’s really exciting."

Cooper's comments summarise the fact that everyone associated with the Owls has fresh optimism following Storch's takeover, a stark contrast from the misery inflicted by former owner Dejphon Chansiri.

Sheffield Wednesday eye Stevenage goalkeeper

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The recent deal for Cooper has strengthened Pedersen's defence, and the Owls are also vying to sign a new goalkeeper ahead of the 2026/27 season.

As reported by Alan Nixon on Patreon, Wednesday have eyed Stevenage's Filip Marschall, who maintained 19 clean sheets in League One, as Alex Revell's side reached the play-offs last term.

Marschall is Pedersen's first choice to replace fellow goalkeeper Pierce Charles if the Northern Ireland international is sold this summer, but the former Aston Villa youngster has also been eyed by a German second-tier club.

Stevenage want a high transfer fee for the 23-year-old, as per Nixon.

Aston Villa transfer twist emerges as Sheffield Wednesday plot deal for defender

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Signings like Cooper will give Wednesday experience ahead of a potential League One promotion push, but Pedersen is also keen to add young talent to his ranks.

The Sheffield Star reported on Tuesday that Wednesday were interested in a loan deal for Aston Villa youngster Sil Swinkels, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Chesterfield, helping the Spireites reach the League Two play-offs.

He has also made two senior appearances for Villa, both of which came before his EFL loan spells with Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, and Chesterfield.

Following the Star's report that Wednesday wanted to sign the 22-year-old defender on loan, The Athletic revealed that Unai Emery's side are, in fact, finalising the permanent sale of Swinkels to the Owls.

The Star's Alex Miller subsequently reported on X that the deal could be permanent and would be likely to include add-ons.

Swinkels made 22 regular-season appearances for Chesterfield after moving to Derbyshire in January, and went on to feature in both of their play-off semi-final clashes with Notts County.

Sheffield Wednesday handed big Jamie Vardy blow

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Pedersen has placed a lot of emphasis on strengthening his defence in the early stages of the summer transfer window, hence the signings of both Cooper and Santos, coupled with their interest in Swinkels.

Meanwhile, Wednesday had also eyed a move for Jamie Vardy, proving their appetite to bolster their attack.

Vardy was released by the Owls' academy as a teenager, and instead embarked on a unique career which saw him rise from the lower depths of non-league to Premier League stardom.

When discussing whether he wants to return to Wednesday, though, the veteran striker revealed on his own podcast: "In short, no. It's one of them things. I've always said that once I was let go, then that chapter was kind of shut.

"That's just me, that's how I am. It wasn't meant to be, so it's never meant to be, kind of thing."