Sheffield Wednesday have been told they could face a big ‘problem’ in keeping hold of Josh Windass this summer.
Josh Windass is one of a large number of players who will see their contracts expire at the end of the season, but is probably one that Sheffield Wednesday will be most desperate to keep.
The midfielder has been hugely important since joining the club in 2020, netting 37 goals and providing 17 assists – including a memorable late winner in last season’s League One play-off final.
Windass has continued to play a key role this term, picking up three goals and two assists, while the Owls have lost eight of the eleven games he has missed.
Windass has already attracted interest from both Argentina and the MLS, but reports have already confirmed that the club are opening talks over a contract extension for the 30-year-old.
However, pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed there are a number of reasons why keeping Windass will be ‘very difficult’.
Speaking to Football League World, Windass said: “Josh has been fantastic for Sheffield Wednesday, obviously scored in the League One play-off final that saw Sheffield Wednesday promoted to the Championship.
“The problem I assume with Josh is the salary that Josh is commanding at this moment in time and Sheffield Wednesday, right now, do not know which league they’re going to be playing in. You know, if they’re playing in League One, would they want to be paying Josh Windass the money that they were paying last season and this season? That’s the million dollar question.
“If they go back down to League One, Josh has proven that he can score the goals to get them back up, but would Josh want to play in League One again? I think that would be a big decision,”Palmer said. “I think Josh has suitors from Championship level who were after him last season.
“So I think this is going to be a very, very difficult one for Sheffield Wednesday to get Josh Windass to sign again.”
Palmer also admitted that Windass could even be tempted to jump ship and move to the MLS due to his American girlfriend.
He said: “I also know that Josh’s girlfriend is American, there are offers on the table for Josh to go to America.
“That might be one of those things that interests Josh but, of course, you want to sign your better players and Josh Windass is a very, very good player at League One and Championship level.”
Will Sheffield Wednesday manage to keep Windass?
Josh Windass is still only 30 years old and has shown he is very capable of playing at Championship level, so it would be a huge surprise if was to stoop to the MLS at this point in his career. It seems more understandable if it was in another couple of years.
Windass clearly loves the club and I think he would be rather tempted to commit to a new deal if Sheffield Wednesday can stay in the Championship, because he isn’t going to be playing at a drastically higher level anyway.
However, the Owls’ relegation could spell trouble for the club. Windass has a taste for football in the second tier this term, and if there has already been interest, he could prefer to remain here – while Sheffield Wednesday would certainly struggle to pay off his £15,000-per-week wages in League One.