Sheffield Wednesday prospect Ernie Weaver is being tracked closely by Premier League clubs, according to The Star.
Sheffield Wednesday would have hoped to embark on the 2025/26 season with a squad of more established first-team players.
However, the financial issues and subsequent transfer embargoes prevented SWFC from recruiting new faces. In fact, only loan men Ethan Horvath and Harry Amass were signed in the summer transfer window.
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
As a result, Henrik Pedersen has relied heavily on the Owls’ academy for reinforcements. Not only have youth players regularly made up the numbers on the bench, but a handful have found starting berths too.
Among the latter is Sheffield Wednesday teenager Ernie Weaver, and his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed.
According to a report from The Star, Premier League clubs are starting to show interest in the promising 19-year-old. It is said that top-flight scouts have been attending games to watch Weaver in action, and they are closely monitoring his situation at Hillsborough as a result.
Weaver signed a professional SWFC contract in the summer, running until 2026. It also includes an extension option, removing the risk of him leaving for nothing. It isn’t doing anything to fend off admirers, however.
None are named, but Weaver’s displays are attracting growing interest.
Ernie Weaver’s Sheffield Wednesday stats – via Transfermarkt
Sheffield Wednesday deal won’t be enough to fend off Ernie Weaver vultures
Sheffield Wednesday should be glad they’ve got Weaver tied down to a professional contract. He had emerged as a highly rated prospect tipped for a breakthrough, even if perhaps not this soon.
However, unfortunately for clubs in positions like Wednesday’s, contracts don’t always offer enough to get true value from an asset.
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
Premier League sides will be eyeing Weaver as a great talent they can pick up on the cheap. It might not be on a free, but the position SWFC find themselves in means they don’t really have a leg to stand on in negotiations with everyone knowing just how much they need injections of cash.
It proved the case with Djeidi Gassama, who left for Rangers for just £2.2m. Other bargains are there to be had, and those interested in Weaver will be more than aware of that.
Academy kids stepping up for Henrik Pedersen
Amidst all the uncertainty and adversity off the pitch, manager Henrik Pedersen has given Sheffield Wednesday fans a team they can be proud of. Leading stalwarts Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer have been workhorses in midfield, while Svante Ingelsson has stepped up after an unassuming debut campaign.
The emergence of young stars has aided the SWFC fight too. Alongside Weaver, several prospects are catching the eye.
George Brown has two goals in as many Championship games and is now the club’s joint-top scorer. Pierce Charles was continuing as number one before injury, while Gabriel Otegbayo, Reece Johnson and Sean Fusire have stepped up too.
Sheffield Wednesday FAQs
Can Sheffield Wednesday sign any players?
Though embargoes often only impact the first-team, Henrik Pedersen recently confirmed they are struggling to sign players at academy level too. Long-term trialists have remained unsigned.
Is a Sheffield Wednesday takeover close?
No concrete reports of takeover talks are circulating. Investment has been discussed to help Dejphon Chansiri, but there are no indications he will be bought out.