Josh Windass joins Sheffield United from Sheffield Wednesday: AI simulates what would have happened | OneFootball

It has emerged that the ex-Hillsborough favourite was the subject of a potentially controversial transfer move

There have been several controversies between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United throughout the course of history, and it has now emerged that we were very close to another last summer.

Heading into the 2025/26 Championship season, uncertainty was certainly a buzzword to determine developments at both Hillsborough and Bramall Lane with, but for extremely different reasons.

The Owls' dire financial situation was getting worse by the day under controversial former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, leading to a mass exodus of senior players and former head coach, Danny Rohl, whilst United's American owners, COH Sports, replaced Chris Wilder with Ruben Selles in the S2 dugout after their play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

One of the senior figures to leave S6 in the summer was Josh Windass, who had enjoyed his most prolific Championship season last term with the Owls, scoring 13 times and providing a further five assists.

The 32-year-old forward went on to join newly-promoted Wrexham on a free transfer, with the North Wales club's ambitions of reaching the Premier League being well-documented.

However, ahead of the Red Dragons' clash with the Blades in South Yorkshire this weekend, it has emerged that Windass' representatives had held talks over the potential of what would have been an extremely controversial transfer across the Steel City.

With that in mind, Football League World asked ChatGPT to simulate a scenario where Windass had put pen-to-paper with United and pick out some definitive moments which could have taken place as a result.

Josh Windass' transfer move across Sheffield would have caused major tension

Unsurprisingly, the first of five incidents would have been how Windass' transfer would have been perceived.

As was seen when United appointed ex-Wednesday player and manager, Danny Wilson, in the summer of 2011, it is a move which either side of the city will have extremely strong views on, either side of the fence.

AI says that Wednesdayites would see the man who scored several crucial goals for the club - including a 123rd-minute winner in the 2023 League One play-off final against Barnsley - would see him as a traitor, whilst those down the road would be split in two minds.

It has been stated that United fans, unsurprisingly, would be gloating, but also potentially sceptical of their recruitment model by cherry-picking a key player from their biggest rivals.

Ruben Selles' Sheffield United tactics and fortunes COULD have been different

It has been well-documented just how poorly United's season began under Selles, who was sacked after losing six straight matches in all competitions.

AI believes the Spaniard's tactical setup would have seen Windass become the heartbeat of his side, with a focus on how the experienced figure so often makes late runs into the box and has strong link-up play with his attacking colleagues.

The computer says this could have certainly masked over the Blades' defensive frailties, as they could have got some points on the board through Windass' attacking quality alongside the likes of Gus Hamer and Tyrese Campbell.

Alternatively, AI has also stated that if Selles' fortunes were to still pan out in a negative fashion, the signing of the Hull-born man would have only increased the feeling of animosity which came his and COH Sports' way.

Josh Windass could have become Sheffield Wednesday's public enemy number one

The Steel City derby, of course, is one of the most fiesty encounters in the Championship and English football as a whole, and AI believes Windass' potential move from S6 to S2 could have seen him write his name into the folklore of this fixture.

After only playing in the derby twice for Wednesday whilst being on the losing side, if he was to score the winner or a decisive goal for the Blades against the Owls, it would have only added to the aforementioned tension felt if the transfer took place.

Conversely, a poor display in either derby would have likely seen Wednesday fans brag to their rival supporters that they wouldn't be missing his attacking experience and quality all that much.

Wrexham AFC's Championship play-off push could have been different

The final element to factor in is just how different Wrexham's season could have been if they didn't move to sign Windass instead.

In his first season at the Stok Cae Ras, the attacker has made 33 appearances for the North Wales club, scoring nine Championship goals as they sit neck-a-neck with Southampton in the battle for a top six berth.

Although his recent performances for Wrexham haven't exactly been sparkling, there is still every chance that Windass pops up with further decisive contributions between now and the end of the season.

Ultimately, he could be the villain at Bramall Lane once again this weekend with a goal, and it would be one that Wednesday fans will love despite the fact they were relegated by their arch rivals in February.