Venancio has impressed since the Sheffield Wednesday manager’s January appointment.
Jos Luhukay has confirmed that Sheffield Wednesday are speaking about a permanent deal for on-loan defender Frederico Venancio.
Venancio’s season-long spell comes to an end after Sunday’s season finale against Norwich City, and the Owls announced in a statement on Tuesday that the Portuguese will return to his parent club, Vitoria Setubal.
But speaking at a press conference, broadcast via Sheffield Wednesday’s official Facebook page on Thursday, Luhukay suggested that does not necessarily spell the end for Venancio at Hillsborough.
“He stays under contract in Portugal, with Vitoria Setubal. They must decide what they want for the future with Fred Venancio. So we have not the situation where we can decide, the club (Vitoria) must find a solution for Fred,” he said.
Asked if Wednesday will make an offer for the player, should Vitoria make him available, Luhukay added: “Yeah, we are speaking about that. (But) also we have not now a concrete situation. We must have the patience (and hope we) come to something positive.”
According to reports in Venancio’s homeland (A Bola), Sheffield Wednesday have an agreement in place to turn the 25-year-old’s deal permanent, at a cost of £2.6 million.
However, with a bloated squad and Financial Fair Play to consider, such a fee could be difficult for the Owls to afford this summer.
It remains to be seen whether or not Vitoria, where Venancio remains under contract for a further two years, would be willing to negotiate a lower fee, although their precarious position, third from bottom in the Portuguese top flight, perhaps offers hope to Wednesday.
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