Henrik Pedersen looks back on another tough Sheffield Wednesday result against QPR
Sheffield Wednesday remain hopeful of tying youngster Yisa Alao down to a first professional contract.
Sheffield Wednesday are yet to make a breakthrough in contract talks with talented youngster Yisa Alao, manager Henrik Pedersen has revealed.
As reported by The Star back in November, Wednesday opened discussions with the left-back after he had celebrated his 17th birthday, making him eligible to sign his first professional contract at Hillsborough.
Alao, who has made three appearances for the Owls so far this season, has, as reported by The Star last month, attracted offers from both Liverpool and Manchester United. It is understood the Premier League duo made six-figure offers.
Wednesday are understandably keen to try and keep hold of Alao, and they are yet to have accepted an offer for his services. However, considering the club is not currently flush with funds, it remains to be seen if they will be forced into a sale this month to bring in some much-needed cash.
After confirming last month he did not think the hold-up in discussions between Wednesday and Alao over a new deal was because of a ‘money issue’, Owls boss Pedersen is of the understanding talks between the club and the youngster’s camp remain ongoing, suggesting uncertainties surrounding Wednesday’s future is behind the delay.
Owls still waiting for Alao breakthrough
“There is still the same dialogue, so there is nothing new in this,” Pedersen told The Star. “There's nothing signed and I think they're waiting to see what happens with our club in the future.”
Wednesday, too, are still hopeful of tying fellow youngster Will Grainger down to a first professional contract. The attacker also turned 17 in November, meaning he is also eligible to put pen to paper on a deal at Hillsborough.
However, Wednesday’s current situation means sales may be required to bring in valuable funds amid the current absence of an owner at Hillsborough. A consortium, understood to be being led by James Bord, is currently going through the relevant English Football League (EFL) checks after being granted preferred bidder status on Christmas Eve.
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