Less than a week after West Ham United completed the £18 million signing of Mads Hermansen from Leicester City, another Championship shot-stopper has entered the fray in the shape of Pierce Charles.
Sheffield Wednesday’s financial issues under the despised Dejphon Chansiri are once again proving to be a massive distraction for a club who could yet receive a colossal points deduction due to the late payment of wages.
The Owls have just 16 senior players at their disposal too. A number which may yet drop further between now and the beginning of September.
Because Hammers News can confirm, via our chief football correspondent, that a bid recently arrived from West Ham United for their highly-rated young goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
At the age of 20, Charles is already Wednesday’s go-to option between the sticks.
And while Graham Potter hinted that Mads Hermansen will be his first-choice when the Premier League campaign kicks off this weekend – the former Leicester City glovesman is expected to make his debut away at Sunderland – the uncertainty surrounding Alphonse Areola opens the door for Charles to join the London Stadium outfit before competing for a starting place for years to come.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesSheffield Wednesday block West Ham United’s Pierce Charles move
Charles made his ninth league appearance as Sheffield Wednesday suffered a valiant defeat to pre-season promotion favourites Leicester City on Sunday.
The Northern Ireland international made no fewer than 11 saves at the King Power Stadium, only to be undone by a late Wout Faes header.
That is one more than Mads Hermansen produced in what felt like the Dane’s breakout display in the division above. Hermansen was ‘unbelievable’ when Leicester beat West Ham back in December, to quote then-Foxes boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Bailey, meanwhile, insists that although Chansiri remains extremely-unpopular amongst Wednesday supporters, the owner is a big reason why Charles is still at Hillsborough with the deadline approaching.
“West Ham made a bid for him earlier this window. I think he was seen as too good not to go for,” Bailey explains. “But Chansiri is not playing ball.
“Could West Ham come back for him? Maybe. He is a fantastic talent, one of the very best outside the Premier League.”
#Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles subject of bids from West Ham and Rangers worth £1m+ – most of fee up front. Deals now OFF as clubs not had response from #SWFC. Fee for 20yo could go long way to paying wages to staff https://t.co/x3EfVQwyoX
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) August 14, 2025
View Tweet
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath backs up these claims, adding that both West Ham and newly-minted Rangers submitted offers in excess of £1 million.
For now, however, all calls made to Chansiri’s mobile appear to be going directly to voicemail.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty ImagesMads Hermansen and Pierce Charles are both Graham Potter-type goalkeepers
Unsurprisingly, given what Graham Potter looks for in a glovesman, both Hermansen and Charles are impressive specimens with the ball at their feet.
Speaking during his official unveiling, Hermansen told the West Ham fans to expect some fine saves, yes, but also a goalkeeper who ‘likes to participate in the build-up play’. Both Potter and lead first-team goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren could be spotted engaging Hermansen in passing drills during his first training session with his new employers.
Charles is another who can be considered highly-competent with his feet as well as his hands.
“Everyone would look at Pierce and know how good he is with his feet,” Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said after one of Charles’ eight appearances for the national team.
“But how he commanded his box was excellent.”
“What is amazing for a goalkeeper of his age is his vision [and how he can see] the movement in front of him,” former Northern Ireland captain Jim Magilton said, Charles standing out even during a 5-1 drubbing by Sweden.
“They are playing at the highest level and this lad’s composure is astounding. For him to be able to show that, and it’s the quality of pass as well.”
Interestingly, West Ham have also been credited with an interest in Pierce’s older brother, Shea Charles.
Back at Southampton after a stellar loan spell with none other than Sheffield Wednesday in 2024/25, EFL expert Ali Maxwell feels Charles can become a ‘£50 – £60 million player’ at St Mary’s.