Sheffield Wednesday urged to strike "clever" Birmingham City transfer agreement | OneFootball

FLW's Owls fan pundit has discussed a realistic signing he'd like the club to make this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Whilst it looks set to be yet another summer of change at Sheffield Wednesday, supporters will already have the upcoming transfer window on their minds.

Although it looks like a highly unlikely turn of events must occur for German boss Danny Rohl to remain at Hillsborough as fans continue to vent their main frustrations towards Dejphon Chansiri, those in the inner-workings at S6 will be piecing their list of potential targets together in the weeks to come.

Wednesday showcased signs of progression during Rohl's first full season in charge, building upon his 'Great Escape' act in 2023/24 season to eventually earn a 12th-place finish with 58 points to their name.

It has also been confirmed that seven players will depart as their respective contracts come to an end including Michael Ihiekwe at the heart of defence, whilst Southampton loanee, Shea Charles, returns to St Mary's whilst fellow loanees James Beadle and Ibrahim Cissokho have also gone back to Brighton and Hove Albion and Toulouse, respectively.

With this in mind, FLW asked our resident Wednesdayite, Patrick McKenna, for one realistic signing he hopes the South Yorkshire side can source over the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday urged to strike Birmingham City deal for Krystian Bielik

The player firmly on McKenna's mind was Birmingham City captain and versatile Polish international, Krystian Bielik, who signed a fresh three-year contract extension at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park 10 months ago after being given the armband by Chris Davies.

"In regards to a realistic signing, it is hard to nail one down without a knowledge of what the (transfer) budget is," he explained.

"However, I think we need to be clever. If we look at a team like Birmingham, promoted from League One, they will be letting some players go. One who could fall under that would be Krystian Bielik.

"He does come with Championship experience as well, having previously played there for them, even though it was in a relegated side," McKenna added.

"I was quite impressed watching him as a player. He didn't quite start every game last season, but bear in mind that was in a team that was absolutely storming the division, and they're forming a team already to challenge near the top of the Championship.

"I like the age as well, 27. A bit of experience there, but as a centre-back, which is a really crucial position for us," he stated. "He can also play in defensive midfield.

"Shea Charles offered that flexibility of moving between midfield and defence and that is something I would be really keen on.

"I am putting this as a realistic signing. Hopefully, if he becomes surplus-to-requirements at Birmingham, there will be some sort of deal that could be struck so we could get him in within our summer budget," our fan pundit concluded.

Krystian Bielik may have a big decision to make this summer at Birmingham City

Bielik, of course, is currently in his prime and offers strong versatility having featured as a centre-back, defensive-minded midfielder and occasionally at right-back for Blues whilst Ethan Laird was sidelined over the Christmas period.

As McKenna alluded to, Charles' departure has left a void, and the 27-year-old has all the attributes to fill such a gaping hole, as well as ones left by the departing Ihiekwe and Pol Valentin.

The 11-time international only made 20 starts in League One last term after his initial partner at the heart of defence, Christoph Klarer, formed yet another strong partnership with Rangers loanee, Ben Davies. It is said that the B9 outfit are exploring the possibility of a permanent deal for his services, as well as being linked with Harry Darling, who is out-of-contract at Swansea City, whilst Phil Neumman will officially sign on July 1st following his pre-contract agreement.

This could leave Bielik strongly down the pecking order, and given he was linked with a potential move to Stoke City in January - despite being club captain and stating he still feels extremely responsible for the progression at St Andrew's - it would seem somewhat unlikely that a player of his calibre would settle as being third, or potentially fourth-choice in his primary position for much longer, and that could allow the likes of Wednesday to swoop for his services.