Chris Wilder breaks silence on surprise Josh Windass, Sheffield Wednesday news | OneFootball

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has revealed whether he'd have liked to sign Wrexham ace Josh Windass from Sheffield Wednesday last summer

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has weighed in on the bombshell news that ex-Sheffield Wednesday ace Josh Windass' representatives held talks over a cross-city transfer.

Windass was one of several star players to leave Hillsborough last summer, amid Wednesday's financial difficulties, but joined Wrexham rather than the Blades.

The forward was a key asset for the Owls last term, scoring 13 goals and producing five assists in 44 Championship appearances as the Hillsborough club landed a comfortable mid-table finish under former boss Danny Rohl.

Windass' father, Dean, played for both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, but the 32-year-old chose not to follow in his dad's footsteps, instead moving to North Wales last summer.

Chris Wilder weighs in on Josh Windass, Sheffield United transfer revelation

Windass was a highly popular figure among Owls supporters, and his best moment in Wednesday colours arrived when he scored the dramatic late winner in their 1-0 triumph over South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in the 2023 League One play-off final.

However, his strong reputation at Hillsborough would have been tarnished if he moved directly from S6 to Bramall Lane, even though his former club have been in dire financial straits, with former owner Dejphon Chansiri failing to pay players on time on numerous occasions.

The Sheffield Star have revealed that Windass' representatives held exploratory talks over a move to Sheffield United last summer, before he ultimately made the switch to Wrexham instead.

Blades boss Chris Wilder is currently enjoying his third stint at Bramall Lane, but he was not in charge of United when those talks with Windass took place.

The Bramall Lane club instead began the season under Ruben Selles' stewardship, but Wilder was re-appointed following the Steel City side's dismal start to the campaign.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Sheffield Star about whether he'd have liked to sign Windass, the Blades boss revealed: "There's a picture flying about on our WhatsApp group of him in a Sheffield United shirt.

"I think his dad might have stuck that on him, obviously, when he was here. I know his dad well. I like him as a character as well, Josh. He's a good player. And it wouldn’t have been the first and last time that anybody crosses the divide. But he's a Wrexham player now.

"He’s somebody we would have definitely been interested in talking to, because of his performances and the big moments he produced for Sheffield Wednesday."

Sheffield United could have launched more serious play-off bid if Josh Windass sealed controversial move

The Blades have given themselves too much to land a top-six spot in the Championship this season, even though they reached last term's play-off final.

Meanwhile, Windass has continued the strong form he displayed in Wednesday colours while plying his trade for Wrexham, and the Red Dragons have given themselves every chance of finishing in the play-off spots.

The North Wales outfit have already enjoyed an incredible journey in recent seasons, clinching successive promotions all the way from the National League to the Championship.

Wrexham would be the first team in history to earn back-to-back promotions from the fifth tier to the Premier League if they reach the top tier via the play-offs this term.

Meanwhile, aside from Patrick Bamford, who only joined on a free transfer in November, Sheffield United's strikers have struggled for consistency this season.