Wes Burns explains Ipswich Town decision after Sheffield Wednesday transfer snub | OneFootball

Wes Burns has opened up on his decision to sign a new contract at Ipswich Town amid reported interest from Sheffield Wednesday.

It is set to be a busy summer for Sheffield Wednesday after David Storch completed his takeover of the club.

It was a nightmare campaign for Wednesday last season as they were relegated from the Championship, while they also spent over six months in administration after former owner Dejphon Chansiri's exit in October.

After a turbulent period, there was finally some good news for the long-suffering Owls supporters in May when Storch's Arise Capital Partners finalised their takeover, and transfer activity is gathering pace at Hillsborough ahead of the new season.

Wednesday have made four new signings so far this summer, with Ricardo Santos, Sil Swinkels, Jordi Liongola and Callum Slattery all arriving in S6, and two further additions could be imminent as the club close in on deals for former captain Barry Bannan and Leeds United striker Harry Gray.

However, the Owls suffered a transfer setback over the weekend as it was confirmed that reported target Wes Burns had signed a new contract with Ipswich Town, and the winger has now explained his decision to commit his future to the Tractor Boys.

Wes Burns opens up on Ipswich Town contract call amid Sheffield Wednesday talk

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Burns joined Ipswich from Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2021, and he has scored 30 goals and provided 30 assists in 164 appearances during his five-year spell at Portman Road so far.

After almost a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, Burns made his return to action in December, and he netted two goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances in the second half of the season to help the Tractor Boys to automatic promotion to the Premier League.

However, Burns started just nine games in the league for Ipswich last season, casting doubt over whether he would remain with the Suffolk outfit in the top flight, and it seems his contract situation alerted a number of other clubs.

According to The Star, Wednesday were plotting an ambitious move for Burns on a free transfer, but the Owls would have faced plenty of competition for his signature, with a number of Championship and MLS sides also thought to have been keen on the 31-year-old.

Burns ended speculation over his future when he signed a new one-year contract with Ipswich on Sunday, and the Welsh international revealed that the opportunity to work under new manager Gary O'Neil, his former teammate at Bristol City, was a key factor in his decision.

"I've known the boss for a long time," Burns told TownTV.

"In my younger days at Bristol City, he was sort of coming towards the end of his career when both crossed paths playing-wise there.

"So I've known him for a long time and obviously watched him from afar as a manager.

"The conversations that I've had with him were positive ones," Burns continued.

"He wants to have a really positive impact on the team and play the way he wants to play.

"Obviously, the ultimate goal is to stay up this year in the Premier League, and he's fully confident that we can do that.

"I'm looking forward to working with him."

Wes Burns, Ipswich Town transfer setback may not surprise Sheffield Wednesday

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The link with Burns certainly generated plenty of excitement among the Wednesday fanbase, but the club's new recruitment team would have known that a deal for the Ipswich man was always likely to be out of reach.

Burns was a favourite of former Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna, so his unexpected departure last month raised question marks over the winger's future at Portman Road, but it seems he also has a strong relationship with new boss O'Neil from their time together at Bristol City.

Having stated his desire to remain at the club in May, it is little surprise to see Burns accept Ipswich's offer of a new contract, and the Owls will now need to turn their attention elsewhere in their search for attacking reinforcements, with Aston Villa forward Louie Barry said to be one name on their radar.