Derby County backed to sign "match winner" from Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has given his backing to a potential move for Sheffield Wednesday's 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…

Derby County are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass this summer, with the attacking midfielder's future at Hillsborough uncertain amid the club's ongoing financial crisis.

The 31-year-old has been linked with multiple Championship sides, including Derby, Norwich City, Coventry City, and Wrexham - with the Sheffield Star led to believe there's also some German interest.

His tally of 13 goals in the second-tier last season made him Wednesday's top scorer - and he also notched up five assists.

Josh Windass would be a valuable addition for the Rams

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, has given his backing to a potential move for the Sheffield Wednesday star,, believing Windass would be a valuable addition to John Eustace's squad.

"Yeah I like Josh Windass. He has proven at this level that he’s more than capable, he’s a match winner," Woodward told FLW.

"He can be unpredictable like a lot of attacking midfielders - they can have good and bad days, but when he’s on form then he’s an asset to the club he’s at, and I do think he’d improve what we already have at the club."

Rangers, Windass' former club, are also said to be considering a move to bring him back to Ibrox - he scored 19 goals for them in 73 appearances across all competitions between 2016 and 2018.

Woodward highlighted Windass' proven goal threat in the Championship, referencing his half-way line strike against Derby last season, "He showed last season against us that he can do some unbelievable things with that goal he scored and I think he got double figures last season - he would’ve been our top goalscorer if he’d been at Derby so he can clearly score goals.

Windass started 38 of Sheffield Wednesday's 44 Championship matches in 24/25, which shows how important Danny Rohl viewed him in the side before the club's current problems unfolded.

Sheffield Wednesday turmoil creates Josh Windass, Derby County opportunity

Sheffield Wednesday's well-documented financial difficulties have created an opportunity for clubs like Derby to potentially secure Windass' services.

The Owls are currently under a three-window transfer embargo from the EFL for various breaches - including non-payment of both player wages and transfer fees.

Windass is one of six players that have been unpaid for several months and handed in their notice to the club as a result - a desperate situation which will likley force Wednesday to accept reduced sums, like they've done already with Djeidi Gassama.

Although Derby have already signed an attacking midfielder on the wrong side of 30 this window, in Andreas Weimann, Windass would perhaps be the preferred option to John Swift, who's also been the subject of reported Rams interest.

It's worth noting that Windass is in the final year of his contract - the South Yorkshire side won't be expected to trigger an option for another year due to Windass handing in his notice, which would potentially reduce a deflated fee even more.

As there are multiple sides reportedly interested, it remains to be seen who off of that list will table an offer for him, but by Woodward's account, Windass would certainly be a much-welcomed signing for Derby County.