A Sheffield Wednesday player might be heading to another South Yorkshire team on a free transfer this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday recently unveiled their retained list, surprising fans with a few decisions. One of the biggest surprises was the decision to let George Byers go; his contract expires next month after a loan spell with Blackpool in League One.
Additionally, fans were somewhat surprised to see goalkeeper Cameron Dawson offered a new deal despite losing his starting spot to loaned player James Beadle.
The club has also extended contracts for key players like Barry Bannan, Josh Windass, and Di’Shon Bernard, as Danny Röhl and his team aim to clear the decks while maintaining their quality squad.
Another player set to be released next month is Reece James. The left-back made just eight appearances in the 2023/24 Championship season, playing only one league game in 2024. Despite joining Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal last summer, the 30-year-old is now in talks with one of the Owls’ South Yorkshire rivals.
James is reportedly set for talks with Rotherham United, who finished the 2023/24 campaign in last place of the Championship table.
But new manager Steve Evans has overseen a positive start to the summer with the Millers having already signed three new players, including Jonson Clarke-Harris on a free transfer.
And now Rotherham could bring in James who is ‘set for talks’ with the club, per journalist Alex Miller, with James also of interest to other clubs in League One and League Two.
Byers is also a person of interest at Rotherham United, per Miller, with Byers also having widespread interest from clubs in the English Football League.
Sheffield Wednesday’s decision to let Reece James go is worth reconsidering. James didn’t have the standout season fans and perhaps he himself anticipated. In the 2022/23 season, he made 28 appearances in League One, scoring once and providing three assists. His creative and energetic performances at left-back made him a fan favorite.
However, manager Danny Röhl didn’t seem to favor him. The Owls typically played with five at the back, with Marvin Johnson as the left wing-back, a position where James might not have been as effective as he would be in a traditional left-back role. Even when Röhl switched to a back four, Johnson or Akin Famewo were often preferred over James, suggesting he wasn’t the right fit for Röhl’s system.
Despite this, James demonstrated in League One that he is a valuable contributor at that level. A move to Rotherham, who are emerging as strong contenders in League One next season, could be beneficial for both James and the Millers. For Rotherham, acquiring a proven full-back like James would strengthen their squad and enhance their promotion chances.
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