Sheffield Wednesday told to issue £6m Man City transfer demand as Pierce Charles exit nears | OneFootball

Pierce Charles looks headed back to Man City from Sheffield Wednesday but a fee has not yet been revealed for the young goalkeeper...

Sheffield Wednesday look likely to need a new goalkeeper this summer, with Pierce Charles closing in on a return to Manchester City this summer.

Having been in their academy until 2021, Pierce Charles eventually joined Sheffield Wednesday and made his senior debut with the club back in 2024. Since then, he has gone on to make 36 appearances for the club, which includes 21 last season as the club's primary goalkeeper.

However, Man City have been pushing hard to sign Charles from Wednesday recently. The 20-year-old was born in Manchester and Charles could replace James Trafford at Man City this summer, or he could leave on loan.

Per the BBC, City have agreed a deal to re-sign goalkeeper Charles from Sheffield Wednesday. Their sources suggest a deal is progressing but has not yet been completed. Journalist Ben Jacobs states that Charles is "likely to be sent out on loan."

Sheffield Wednesday's verdict on Pierce Charles joining Manchester City

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Patrick McKenna, FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit, was asked about the fact Charles appears to be closing in on a return to Man City and that he is expected to be loaned out. We asked what a fair fee would be for Charles’ services.

We also asked if he believes there’s any chance of a direct loan back or if he thinks the goalkeeper could be Championship-bound instead this summer. He said: "For Pierce Charles, it does look like he is on his way.

"He was never going to be playing for us in League One next season. In regards to what's a fair fee, I do hope we can negotiate something that will reflect his value.

"He is a young 'keeper, clearly in demand, and he has a bright future in the game. So, ideally, I would like to see us get maybe around £6 million. Or could we possibly now, with proper negotiators on board, get a bit more?

"You'd like to think that there will be a sell-on in the deal, where he does go on to further things in his career. I don't think there is any chance of a direct loan back. For his progression, I think the Championship is the right level.

"Another season of Championship football next season and regular game time is the best thing for him. He's still young and doesn't need to be chucked into a full Premier League loan yet.

"So, yeah, it's exciting times for Pierce Charles. I just hope that we don't let him go for too little. I hope we can negotiate as hard a bargain as we can.

"To be honest, clubs like Man City do spend big money - let's just see how much of that we can get out of them."

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It's unclear yet what exactly it will be, but a sale worth around £6 million for Charles would be a transformative piece of business for Sheffield Wednesday as they continue to prepare for life in League One.

While losing one of their brightest young talents is undoubtedly disappointing, that level of fee could provide the financial flexibility needed to strengthen multiple areas of the squad rather than relying on a few players. It's pretty clear and obvious what they should do with those funds as well.

With the Owls targeting an immediate return to the Championship, reinvesting those funds into several proven League One performers and a handful of exciting younger additions could significantly improve their promotion prospects against a strong-looking bunch of League One contender's in 2026/27.

Given Charles' age and potential, Wednesday should be holding out for as much as possible, potentially including add-ons and a sell-on clause. If he fulfils his obvious promise higher up the pyramid, the club could benefit twice over, making a hard-fought negotiation well worth the effort with a club of Man City's obvious financial might.