Update emerges regarding 32-year-old’s situation at Sheffield Wednesday as summer window looms | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are set to engage in further talks with Sam Hutchinson over his future at the club, according to a report from The Star.

It is understood that the Owls initially entered discussions with the 32-year-old in the final weeks of the regular campaign but opted against tabling a new deal due to their focus on securing promotion to the Championship.

However, following Wednesday’s exit from the play-offs earlier this week, a decision will now be made regarding whether to keep Hutchinson at Hillsborough.

The former Chelsea man featured predominantly in a back-three for the Owls during the 2021/22 campaign.

In the 31 appearances that he made for the club in all competitions, Hutchinson helped his side keep 12 clean-sheets.

Accompanied by Jordan Storey and Harlee Dean in the heart of Wednesday’s defence for both legs of the club’s semi-final with Sunderland, Hutchinson was unable to prevent his side from suffering a 2-1 defeat on aggregate to their League One rivals.

With his deal at the club set to expire in June, Hutchinson will be available on a free transfer when the window opens if a breakthrough in terms of negotiations cannot be made in the coming weeks.

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The Verdict

When you consider that Hutchinson possesses a wealth of Football League experience, the Owls may find it beneficial to call upon the services again next season.

As well as making 30 appearances in the third-tier for Wednesday, Hutchinson has also featured on 177 occasions at Championship level during his career.

Having averaged a respectable WhoScored match rating of 6.87 in League One last season, Hutchinson will fancy his chances of playing a key role for the club in the 2022/23 campaign as his side look to launch another push for promotion.

Wednesday are set to wave goodbye to Storey and Dean when their respective loan spells expire at the end of May while Chey Dunkley’s deal is set to reach a crescendo next month.

Keeping this in mind, the Owls are expected to be in the market for some new defenders this summer regardless of whether they opt to extend Hutchinson’s stay.