Mel Sterland claims Wednesday would struggle to sell Forestieri this summer

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Sheffield Wednesday are saddled with a few under-performing players on big wages.

Former Sheffield Wednesday player Mel Sterland has named Fernando Forestieri as one of three players he believes are on big wages and would be hard to shift on this summer, the Sheffield Star reports.

The Owls backed former boss Carlos Carvalhal heavily in their bid to secure promotion to the Premier League, but a failure to reach the top flight has left the club in a sticky position this summer.

New manager Jos Luhukay will be keen to strengthen the squad, yet he may be forced to sell first before purchasing anyone as the club must abide to strict Financial Fair Play rules.

Wednesday’s biggest problem is moving on under-performing players who are on big wages, such as out-of-favour strikers Steven Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes, with interest in the duo likely slim.

But former player Sterland also includes Forestieri in that conversation, suggesting the club would struggle to get rid of the Argentine despite his obvious ability and stunning late-season form.

“Wednesday have got Rhodes, Fletcher and (Fernando) Forestieri who are all massive earners and all probably have a year or two years left on their contracts,” Sterland told the Star.

“Its difficult to get rid of people like that. Who’s going to pay those wages and transfer fees and take them off Wednesday’s hands? They’re probably on 30, 40 or even 50 grand a week.”

Rhodes and Fletcher are two obvious candidates Wednesday would struggle to sell, but including Forestieri on that list is a big surprise even if the former Watford man is one of the highest earners at Hillsborough.

The 28-year-old is versatile and can play anywhere in the final third, while his record of 32 goals and 11 assists in 71 Championship starts for Wednesday is impressive and ranks among the Championship’s best.

Forestieri has the ability to play in the Premier League, and it would not come as a surprise if a team like Fulham come in for him this summer as he could prove a valuable player in a bid for top-flight survival.