Sheffield Wednesday closing in on Man United's Harry Amass despite significant transfer roadblock | OneFootball

Left back Harry Amass has been linked with Hillsborough switch

Sheffield Wednesday are working to finalise a loan move for highly-rated Manchester United defender Harry Amass, though ongoing restrictions on player registration continue to complicate proceedings.

The teenager, who made his Premier League debut earlier this year, has been the subject of a protracted summer of negotiations, with multiple sources indicating that a deal is edging towards completion.

BBC Sport’s Simon Stone first reported that an agreement was close, a claim echoed by journalist Nathan Salt, who confirmed Amass’s absence from Manchester United under-21 duties as he prepared to seal the switch to Hillsborough.

Salt further confirmed that the Red Devils were not seeking a loan fee - and the player was keen on the switch.

Man United defender Harry Amass said to be closing in on Sheffield Wednesday switch

However, the process remains subject to the Owls satisfying outstanding financial requirements, with EFL restrictions currently preventing the club from registering new players.

The registration embargo has been a recurring issue for Sheffield Wednesday throughout the window. Alex Miller of the Sheffield Star reiterated that, despite the club’s clear interest in Amass, there has been no official movement that the restrictions have been lifted.

With the deadline for loan signings closing at 7pm tomorrow, the window for resolving these administrative hurdles is rapidly narrowing.

Amass is regarded as one of Manchester United’s brightest emerging talents. The London-born full-back came through the Watford academy, joining the Hornets at the age of nine.

His ability earned him a place on the first-team bench at just 15, when he was named in the squad for an FA Cup tie against Reading in January 2023.

That same year, Manchester United beat off competition from Chelsea to secure his signature, agreeing a four-year contract following protracted discussions over compensation.

Since then, Amass has been fast-tracked into United’s senior environment, training with Erik ten Hag’s first team from February 2024 and appearing on the bench for high-profile fixtures, including a Premier League clash with Liverpool.

What Harry Amass could bring to Henrik Pedersen's crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday squad

Amass is widely praised for his blend of physical aggression and technical quality.

“You’ve just got to show your aggressive side - you might be young, smaller than the opponent but you have to show you are aggressive, and don’t back down,” the teenager has said of his defensive approach.

That mentality, coupled with his ability to contribute in advanced phases, makes him an attractive option for a Wednesday side seeking to strengthen its defensive depth.

Should the Owls succeed in navigating the EFL’s restrictions in time, Amass’s arrival would represent a significant coup.

For the player, a loan spell at Hillsborough could provide the ideal platform to gain senior experience in the Championship, accelerating his development while offering the Owls a player of genuine pedigree.

At present, negotiations between the club and league authorities remain live and time sensitive. With the clock ticking down to the loan deadline, Sheffield Wednesday’s pursuit of Amass is finely balanced between administrative resolution and the risk of late disappointment.