Sheffield Wednesday set to beat Birmingham City to Brighton player | OneFootball

Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper James Beadle was in Sheffield yesterday ahead of a loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday, according to BBC journalist Rob Staton.

The 19-year-old has shone on loan at Oxford United this term, establishing himself as a regular starter at the Kassam Stadium and proving to be a big reason behind the U's success this term.

Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he has been a real asset for both Liam Manning and his current boss Des Buckingham, making 28 appearances in all competitions for Oxford during the 2023/24 campaign.

Conceding 34 goals during that time, he has also kept nine clean sheets and he will be a big miss at the Kassam Stadium if he does depart.

Simon Eastwood filled in on Saturday, but Buckingham may now be looking to strengthen his goalkeeping department with Brighton set to recall Beadle.

After seeing him impress for the U's, the Seagulls handed him a new contract to tie him down until 2028, showing their commitment to the England youth international who has developed extremely well this season.

He now looks set to take the step up to the Championship.

James Beadle set to join Sheffield Wednesday

Beadle was also linked with moves to Birmingham City and Bristol City, with the link to the latter making sense considering former Oxford boss Manning is now at Ashton Gate.

The Robins could have potentially utilised this link to bring the teenager in.

Birmingham, meanwhile, will need to address their goalkeeping department at some point with John Ruddy, Neil Etheridge and Zach Jeacock all seeing their deals expire at the end of the season.

However, the Owls look set to come on top in this race with the keeper being seen in Sheffield yesterday.

He is set to seal his switch to Hillsborough imminently, although he will need to be officially recalled from Oxford first.

That could also come imminently.

Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping department needs to be shaken up

Cameron Dawson and Devis Vasquez are the two main options for the Owls at this point.

On paper, they seem to be a decent duo, but it does feel as though their goalkeeping department needs a shake-up to give themselves the best chance of securing survival at the end of the season.

Beadle is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and has been largely solid during his spell at Oxford.

Some of the U's supporters believe his performance levels have dropped off in recent weeks, which isn't ideal for the Owls.