Henrik Pedersen says Sheffield Wednesday 'need players' as administrators hope to choose preferred bidder
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen says he needs new players in the January transfer window, with the Owls hoping to be in a position to name who they want to buy the club on Friday.
The joint administrators had aimed to choose a preferred bidder by December 5, but the amount of interest and the fact some offers would not allow them to clear their debts immediately delayed that. There are no guarantees, therefore, that Friday’s target will be hit either.
The chosen bidder will have to go through the Football League (EFL)'s “fit and proper” person's test before being allowed to take over.
Time is of the essence with the transfer window opening on January 1, and the Christmas holidays squeezing the timeframe.
“I spoke on Wednesday with Kris (Wigfield, an administrator), and we’re speaking very often,” said Pedersen. “I hope that there will soon come a good solution for our club, our fans, for everyone.
“We need players, and I think he’s working really hard to get it done as quickly as possible so we have a chance to do something in January.
"But we also know that it takes time to get everything done, and right now we don’t know who the new owner will be or the reaction from the EFL.”
Clubs have until 7pm on February 2 to sign players, with only free agent additions permitted after that.
The new owner may or may not want to negotiate to lift the restriction on paying transfer or loan fees in the upcoming window, although the next two will be more pressing with the Owls' relegation from the Championship this season all but inevitable with deductions leaving them 29 points adrift of safety after 20 games.
A prospective new owner could lend the club money during the process if they felt confident enough.
All of which means even if there is a decision on Friday, the uncertainty will not be over.
The choice is now expected to boil down to ex-Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley or an American consortium featuring John McEvoy and the Storch family.