"Put that around £2m" - Sheffield Wednesday handed Josh Windass transfer advice amid shock Santos FC interest | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit discussed Santos' interest in star striker Josh Windass

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…

Sheffield Wednesday have been encouraged to price Santos out of a move for Josh Windass, who has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Brazilian side.

The Owls are currently competing for a top-six slot following a recent upturn under Danny Rohl, which has seen them lose just two of their last 11 league matches.

They're 10th at the time of writing, but are just three points shy of sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion, and their continued challenge for play-off contention is being spearheaded by star striker Windass.

Windass has already recorded double digits for the campaign and has returned five goals from his last six matches, including a stunner from inside his own half in the 4-2 win over Derby County on New Year's Day, and his red-hot recent form has earned interest elsewhere.

Santos FC's interest in Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass

via his X account a bid had been made for the 30-year-old - while undisclosed MLS clubs are also believed to have an interest.

Then, Football League World exclusively revealed on Monday afternoon that Wednesday had rejected a bid from Santos, who are managed by Windass' ex-Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha. It's not yet known whether the Brazilian second-tier outfit are going to return with a fresh offer.

However, there will be concern given Windass' form and that his current deal, which was signed only last summer, expires in the summer, meaning he's poised to become a free agent as things stand.

Windass himself has spoken out on the interest and stopped short of completely playing down a move. Via talkSPORT, Windass is quoted as saying: "I used to work with him (Caixinha).

"It came as a surprise this morning to be honest when my agent called me.

"I love playing where I'm playing. Obviously when your contract is up and stuff like that, there's always going to be talk like there always is.

"It came as a surprise this morning because I've not spoken to or seen Pedro in a long time. But it is what it is, when you're in form, this sort of stuff happens.

"I'm not sure if any Hull-born players have played in Brazil to be honest, so we'll have to see."

Sheffield Wednesday handed Josh Windass transfer advice amid Santos FC interest

Wednesdayites will be desperate to see the forward retained at all costs, and it would be a huge blow for Danny Rohl to lose his star attacking asset mid-season as he bids to secure a play-off finish.

With that in mind, FLW asked our resident Owls fan pundit, Patrick, if he was worried Windass could sign a pre-contract agreement with Santos due to the short length of time remaining on his suggested existing terms and what sort of fee Wednesday should hold out for.

Patrick, who is cautious about losing Windass in the summer, believes the club should attempt to price Caixhinha out of a reunion by demanding a fee in the region of £2 million for his services.

"Regarding a fee for Josh Windass, it would be important to go high and try and fend off Santos in my opinion," Patrick told Football League World.

"So if you put that around £2 million for an in-form Championship striker like himself, it really would not be outrageous. But if you're pitching that at a Brazilian second division club, it's probably going to be too much for them.

"When I first heard of Santos, you think of Pele and how huge a club they are, but they seem to have fallen on hard times. I'd like to think we could name a fee right now which would discourage Santos, and what is important is to sit down with Windass' agent and try to extend his deal.

"It really wasn't good business on our part, extending it by only a year in the summer, because that leaves it open a few months into the season as clubs know he's going to be available in a few months.

"So will he stay? Considering he only stayed for a year in the summer, with Santos it is the lure of something new at this stage in his career and it could be the last time he gets this sort of offer.

"I would fear that we will lose him in the summer for free and that wouldn't surprise me because it's kind of the norm under (Dejphon, owner) Chansiri that we let players slip through our fingers."