Sheffield Wednesday are still fighting a battle to secure the future of key defender Di’Shon Bernard.
Despite Sheffield Wednesday signing eight new players ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, tying down existing players has been a priority for Danny Rohl during pre-season.
Club captain Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer were both very quick in making up their mind ahead of next season.
At one point it looked as if Josh Windass was on his way out of the club, amid interest from West Brom, however Rohl went above and beyond in ensuring that the Englishman was part of his plans for the upcoming campaign.
The 30-year-old was very thankful towards Rohl, who successfully persisted in signing the midfielder, despite it at once being certain that he would be moving on this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday defender Di’Shon Bernard is yet to confirm his future, with the German boss more than keen to ‘have a look’ at signing the player up for a further season.
Sheffield Wednesday defender Di’Shon Bernard contract talks explained by Danny Rohl
Rohl insisted that Sheffield Wednesday are still interested in having Di’Shon Bernard be a crucial part of their plans next season, with the German boss adamant that ‘it could be a very good option to take him’, per The Star.
Speaking to The Star, Rohl said: “It is still a position we are looking in.
“You want to let them have the focus for the tournament [Copa America] and now we are seeing what we can do.
“It’s always from both sides, it’s not just about the dream.
“We have to find a way.
“If we can do it, then it could be a very good option to take him.”
The defender featured regularly for Rohl’s side in the 2023/24 season, but is now officially a free agent after his contract recently expired.
Danny Rohl must prioritise contract for Di’Shon Bernard at Sheffield Wednesday
The defender was crucial last season in providing stability to Rohl’s defence, continuously being relied either in a back-three or four.
Despite being just 23-years-old, Bernard has racked up 58 Championship appearances and could easily prosper into a high-level Championship centre-back, especially coming off the back of a season where Rohl claimed that ‘he was a big part of the last season’.
He is yet to have struggled in any league he is put in, having consistently successful loan spells in each league in the EFL, with his other stint in the Championship being with Hull City.
It’s clear that the Jamaican defender’s sights are set on a return to Hillsborough after posted on social media himself training whilst donned out in Sheffield Wednesday gear, despite Bernard now officially being a free agent.
It’s predictable that a Championship rival would swoop in for Bernard if the Owls don’t take advantage of the players’ clear desire to stay at Hillsborough for another season.
It’s a decision that could easily be make or break ahead of the 2024/25 Championship and would be equally as important as any of Sheffield Wednesday’s signings this summer.