Henrik Pedersen drops Sheffield Wednesday transfer update amid Man City link | OneFootball

The Sheffield Wednesday manager has hinted at what positions he wants to target this January

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to bolster their midfield and attacking options this January, according to manager Henrik Pedersen.

Wednesday have been afforded the opportunity to bring in at least a couple of players on no-fee loan deals this month due to the growing player welfare concerns at the club.

However, the Sheffield Star has reported that the Owls boss doesn't have eyes on any new defenders.

Henrik Pedersen's side sit atop the goals conceded ranks in the Championship this season, but also hold the equally unwanted mantle of scoring the fewest goals in the second tier too, finding the back of the net just 18 times in 25 games.

Therefore, the Sheffield Wednesday chief wants to help boost that number, and although not explicitly mentioned, Manchester City's Jaden Heskey is a name that the Star believes the struggling Championship side has profiled.

Henrik Pedersen gives transfer admission as new loan slots open up

It's been close to a week now since Sheffield Wednesday were permitted to bring in another couple of players on loan by the EFL.

The Owls have been under transfer restrictions due to the dire end of former owner Dejphon Chansiri's reign at Hillsborough, which saw numerous late payments to players, which then resulted in embargos and senior players departing for free.

On the field, this season has been a difficult one for Wednesday, with a small senior squad being pushed to the limit and several injuries being picked up as a result. Therefore, Henrik Pedersen will be able to add to his squad this January, and he has his eye on players further up the field.

"If all our team is fit, then we have a lot of defenders," he told the Sheffield Star.

"But we don't have many offensive players or many central midfielders. So we're searching more for midfielders and up for the positions, but there is what we want and what we wish, and what is realistic and possible.

"We're trying to prepare, speak with clubs, managers and sporting directors to find some interesting players who can help us, and explain that we're a good place to be. We know that we're a good place for young players."

Indeed, while Wednesday cannot afford to pay a fee for any of these loan moves, they've shown through the opening half of the campaign that their unfortunate situation can be a great way for young talents to get plenty of game time at Championship level.

Harry Amass came on leaps and bounds during his loan spell at Hillsborough, and they now face losing the 18-year-old for the second half of the campaign, with other second-tier sides showing interest.

Jaden Heskey has been a name on Sheffield Wednesday's radar. The dynamic midfielder wasn't explicitly brought up by Pedersen, but given the Danish boss' transfer wishes, there's an expectation that he'd be high on the list of prospective loan signings if Manchester City could agree to a no-fee deal.

Henrik Pedersen admits that deals may not be done until later in the January window

It seems that there'll be a wait for these deals to be made at Hillsborough, similarly to when Sheffield Wednesday secured Amass' loan deal on Deadline Day in the summer.

Pedersen has admitted that it's "difficult" operating on no-fee loans during the start of the transfer window.

"Right now it's either very young players we can get, or a little bit older, because we are still in the beginning of the transfer window," he said.

"Maybe it will look a little bit different later in the window — without money, of course, it can be difficult."

Wednesday were close to adding the Manchester City U21 star to their ranks on loan in the summer, but the move was eventually blocked by the EFL on Deadline Day in September.

Now, there's an added expectation that the Owls can add more firepower in the engine room and up front by the February 2nd deadline, and if the 20-year-old is still available by then, Sheffield Wednesday may feel confident they can strike a deal.