Sheffield Wednesday: Sale updates and next steps
Sheffield Wednesday face competition in their quest to re-sign Harry Amass for the rest of the season, The Star understands, with a potential kingmaker in the decision having moved on.
The England youth international arrived on loan from Premier League giants Manchester United on deadline day of the summer transfer window and has been a standout performer in Wednesday’s season so far, playing every Championship minute since his debut in September.
It’s understood that the deal, though described as season-long arrangement his parent club at the outset of the loan, will require a degree of renewal heading into January. The Star has learned that other clubs have made their interest known to United in taking Amass on for the second half of the season should that agreement not be reached - an update that will come as little surprise to those who have noted his development since his arrival in South Yorkshire.
Wednesday are in ongoing discussions with United and it is hoped a deal can be struck successfully, with Owls boss Henrik Pedersen having suggested that contract talks between Amass and the Old Trafford club need to be completed before confirmation of his future at Hillsborough. It is stressed that all parties are pleased with the 18-year-old’s progress at S6.
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Though it is expected that a preferred bidder will be identified out of the administration process sooner rather than later, an EFL ratification process will likely see the keys to Hillsborough handed over beyond the new year. Though the timing or reality of any easing of the recruitment restrictions placed on the club is not yet crystal clear, it is hoped Wednesday can press on with the lining-up of their recruitment plans in the intervening period - with the Owls’ hope of continuing Amass’ loan in no doubt.
The talented teenager recently spoke to The Star about his future at the club and touched on the processes United put in place to keep an eye on the players out on loan. Amass said he was in regular contact with figures at his parent club, chiefly Jonny Evans. The Northern Ireland legend, who played 241 times for the Red Devils across two spells, was announced as the club’s head of loans and pathways as recently as June and has overseen Amass’ stint with Wednesday among others.
Former Manchester United footballer Jonny Evans has left his role as Red Devils loan chief.placeholder image
Former Manchester United footballer Jonny Evans has left his role as Red Devils loan chief.
In a surprise announcement, United confirmed Evans has chosen to leave his position after just six months. A new man coming in to replace Evens would stand to change the landscape of discussions over the likely future of Amass, though United’s satisfaction with the progress of the loan remains and Wednesday are hopeful of a renewal.
“We are in contact with Manchester United, and Kevin (Beadell, head of recruitment) is speaking with them a lot,” Pedersen confirmed to The Star ahead of a clash with Amass’ boyhood club Watford on Tuesday evening. “We are in running dialogue to give them a heads-up for what we are doing with him.
“The coaches, the staff, I think we have done a great job for Harry, and I think his individual development has been amazing. All what we are doing with him for his personal development and also for his individual feedback from training and games. I think his physical development has been good.
"I think there are a lot of things that have gone in the right direction. It was good in the beginning, then he was a little bit down now he has been very stable. We have to keep that level up and make the next step for him."
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