Three centre-backs Sheffield Wednesday could target after suffering Venancio blow

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Having already missed out on Frederico Venancio, Sheffield Wednesday’s Reece Burke pursuit now seems destined to fail.

Sheffield Wednesday’s hopes of bringing Frederico Venancio back to Hillsborough this summer appear to have been ended by Vitoria Guimaraes, who announced a permanent deal for the former Owls loan star on Saturday.

But Venancio is not the only centre-back on whom Wednesday could miss out, with another rumoured target, West Ham’s Reece Burke, seemingly off to Hull with the Owls unable to afford the £1.5 million transfer fee, according to the Daily Mirror.

So who could be next on Jos Luhukay’s list of targets? Here are three who may be within Wednesday’s reach…

Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United)

The Manchester United centre-back spent the second half of last season on loan with Aston Villa but only played five times for Steve Bruce’s side. But with a gap beside Tom Lees to fill – and a body short to the right, where Tuanzebe can also play – the Mancunian could have better luck at Wednesday, should United wish to let him go again.

Krystian Bielik (Arsenal)

Some Owls fans may recall Bielik making his Arsenal debut at Hillsborough three years ago, though by the time he entered the field 60 minutes in, the hosts were already 3-0 up. Signed for £2.4 million earlier in 2015, the towering Poland U21 star has made little progress since then – spending time with Birmingham and Walsall – and could be in need of another temporary move. Bielik presence could also be put to use in the centre of Wednesday’s midfield, where he is also capable of playing.

Philippe Sandler (Manchester City)

Snapped up by Manchester City midway through last season, for another £2-million-plus fee, Sandler previously impressed for PEC Zwolle in Holland’s Eredivisie – a league with which some of Sheffield Wednesday’s coaching staff should be familiar. A loan move could be next on the 21-year-old’s agenda, and the Owls’ City connections – their former academy boss Dean Ramsdale works there – could thrust them towards to top of the pile if he is indeed allowed to leave.