Chris Waddle issues Sheffield Wednesday prediction as Middlesbrough and Derby County circle | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle has discussed the future of Sheffield Wednesday defender Max Lowe

There is renewed optimism amongst Sheffield Wednesday supporters on the back of the completion of the club's long-anticipated takeover last month.

David Storch finalised his purchase of the South Yorkshire club following the club's relegation to League One, offering hope of improved fortunes after the darkest period in the famous club's history.

Wednesday went into administration back in November following significant financial mismanagement under Dejphon Chansiri and went on to finish bottom of the Championship on zero points, having been docked a total of 18.

Now, things are looking up going into a summer of change and the Owls' starting line up for their League One opener in August may well look extremely different to the side that ended last season.

Chris Waddle makes claim on Max Lowe's future

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One of the players Wednesday hope to have in their squad next season is Max Lowe, whose performances last campaign were one of the few positives at Hillsborough.

The left-back will be out of contract at the end of June but reports have emerged suggesting that the Owls are in talks with the 29-year-old over extending his stay.

Lowe has already been linked with Championship clubs Middlesbrough and Derby County, as well as Leicester City who were relegated to League One alongside Wednesday.

Wednesday legend Chris Waddle believes that it is going to be hard for the South Yorkshire side to tie the defender down to a new contract in the third tier.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Waddle said: “There's a lot of activity going on at the club and somebody like Max Lowe, he would be a big asset in that division they've got in.

“It's a division lower, he's handled himself well in the Championship, so we know he'll get offers. He's been a good player in the Championship so there will be clubs that will look to take him.

“I'm sure Wednesday will make him an offer which is a good enough offer to play in League One this season. Whether Max has settled and likes it at Sheffield Wednesday [may be a factor], I'm sure he does, but players get ambitions and does he want to drop if he can play in the Championship?

“It'll be hard to keep him, it'll be hard to turn the bids down if there is bids for him, but I think they'll make him a decent offer because they know he'll be a very good player for them in League One, and he's got experience.”

Keeping Max Lowe will be a boost for Wednesday

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After crossing the treacherous Sheffield divide in 2024 from Sheffield United, Lowe has been a consistent performer for Wednesday over the past two seasons.

The left-back made 28 Championship appearances for the Owls last campaign and would have surely added more to that tally if it wasn't for a few injury issues keeping him sidelined.

In the campaign before, Lowe played 34 times in the league and was an important part of the side that finished 12th in the second tier.

Having played the majority of his career in the Championship, alongside two seasons in the Premier League with the Blades, if the defender were to sign a new contract at Wednesday, this campaign would be the first time in which he has played League One football since a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town during the 2017/18 season.

Still yet to turn 30, Lowe already has just shy of 250 senior club appearances and would offer much-needed experience to a team that will be looking to compete at the top end of the division. Being able to keep hold of him would undoubtedly be a boost.