Sheffield Wednesday credited with interest in permanent deal for Manchester City’s Jaden Heskey
Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly exploring the possibility of a permanent deal for loanee Jaden Heskey.
The midfielder was loaned to the Owls in January having found opportunities limited in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Manchester City squad.
He has since made 20 appearances in the Championship, acclimatising well to the demands of senior football in the EFL.
Jaden Heskey has made 20 appearances in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday.placeholder image
Jaden Heskey has made 20 appearances in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday. | Steve Ellis
Sheffield Wednesday ‘looking into’ Jaden Heskey deal
According to The Wednesday Word, Heskey is being eyed for a return to South Yorkshire ahead of the 2026/27 season.
While the 20-year-old has not set the world alight in a struggling side, he would arguably be a coup for a League One club.
There is also plenty of room for development and the Manchester City prospect could prove to be a worthwhile investment.
Wednesday will be fancied to mount a promotion push next season following conformation they will not receive a 15-point deduction. The prospect of pushing for promotion could prove tempting for Heskey after months spent in a side that have lost most games.
Close contact with Manchester City
Last month, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen lifted the lid on Wednesday’s regular communication with Manchester City regarding Heskey’s development.
He said: “[We have received] very good, very positive [feedback]. We are in very close contact. We have a database together with Man City, so they can see all the training he's doing, all the analysis from the training.
“They can see all the game feedback we're giving him after each game so we can speak about his individual development week-to-week. There has to be close contact. They are really good in this way, Man City.
Jaden Heskey is due to return to parent club Manchester City following his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.placeholder image
Jaden Heskey is due to return to parent club Manchester City following his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. | Steve Ellis
“He has developed a lot. I think he’s tactially so strong, together with his physical ability and technical ability. The other thing, he is a strong number six because his running capacity is strong.
“His tactics, good as a six. He is starting to be much better on the ball to not only play sidewards and backwards, he starts to speed up the game, bypass many more opponents.
“When he plays the number 10 position, he has this verticality in his run, he has the power, and he’s a fantastic first-pressing player. He can run to space, but he can also receive in the pocket. His way to be a part of something, to see himself as part of the game, I think he’s strong.
“It is a big advantage he can play more positions and it’s a big strength as a young guy that he can change through the game from situation to situation, position to position.”