Sheffield Wednesday transfer state of play as Henrik Pedersen reveals loan plan

Time is running out for Sheffield Wednesday to strengthen their first team squad – but Henrik Pedersen remains optimistic of adding at least one more loan signing.

Image: Alex Young

Sixteen new players have arrived during a whirlwind summer at Hillsborough, with striker Ali Al‑Hamadi the latest through the door. He made his Owls debut in the emphatic 7-2 demolition of League One newcomers Bromley.

But head coach Henrik Pedersen is pushing for more deals ahead of Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.

“We are still in the market to see if there’s something we can do,” said Pedersen, who is sweating over the fitness of centre-back Ricardo Santos and midfielder Barry Bannan (both ankle) ahead of Tuesday’s tough-looking trip to Wycombe Wanderers.

“We will try to see what is possible. I know Simon’s (Wilson) phone is hot and we try to do more if we can.”

With Max Lowe and Sil Swinkels facing extended spells on the sidelines, additional defensive cover is a realistic possibility. Central midfield is another area where Wednesday look light on numbers.

Asked whether more than one signing could arrive, Pedersen was cautious: “We can’t say more than one. We have a budget and let’s see which players we can find.

“We are searching, and we have a clear profile for the player we are searching for. There are a lot of question marks right now but we do the best that we can.”

Wednesday have already brought in four loan players - Harry Gray, Mason Burstow, Kieran Morrison and Al‑Hamadi - and EFL rules limit clubs to five loanees in a matchday squad.

Would Pedersen be comfortable exceeding that number and rotating accordingly? His answer was pragmatic. “We want five,” he said. “It’s easy to say we will only have five, but if the right players come then it’s a possibility. Maybe we don’t say no.”

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