Barnsley, Leeds United and Sheffield United - Yorkshire's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sheffield Wednesday are in talks with the EFL over their transfer restrictions with ex-Leeds United captain Liam Cooper reportedly still a target.
The 34-year-old has been unattached since July, when he departed Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia by mutual agreement.
Wednesday have been slapped by a number of EFL embargoes, meaning the payment of fees for players has been firmly off the table.
However, free transfer signings have also been ruled out. Forecasts provided to the Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) have stopped the EFL permitting free agents from being snapped up by the Owls.
Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to give Henrik Pedersen some new faces.placeholder image
Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to give Henrik Pedersen some new faces. | OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
EFL talks
Wednesday are now in talks with the EFL about again being allowed to sign unattached players in light of improved cashflow.
Joint-administrator Kris Wigfield told BBC Sheffield: “There’s a possibility. We are looking to give the manager as much help as we possibly can.
“We’ve had conversations with the EFL and there are some hurdles to get through with FIFA and with the EFL.
“We’re hopeful we can do that and if we could just bring in one or two free agents to help the manager and make the club a little bit more competitive, particularly when we get injuries or he needs to make substitutions, then that would be fantastic.
“No promises at this stage, but we’re hopeful we can get one or two more players in for after the international break.”
Liam Cooper still on the radar
The Star have claimed Cooper has remained a main target and he could be on alert as the Owls seek to give Henrik Pedersen reinforcements.
His experience could prove invaluable for Wednesday, who have a threadbare squad with which to fight for their Championship status.
Pedersen has been forced to utilise unproven academy prospects, although many have performed admirably.
Liam Cooper left Leeds United following their Wembley heartbreak in 2024.placeholder image
Liam Cooper left Leeds United following their Wembley heartbreak in 2024. | Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Cooper’s presence could be of enormous benefit to Wednesday’s young players and his CV is an attractive one.
A former Leeds captain, he was part of the Whites squad that clinched the Championship title in 2020. He later represented the Whites in the Premier League and has been capped by Scotland on the international stage.
The former Hull City and Huddersfield Town defender made 284 appearances for Leeds, scoring 11 goals between 2014 and 2024.