Sheffield Wednesday set for battle as Championship clubs keen on 23-year-old | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday face a fight to keep hold of defender Di'Shon Bernard in the summer transfer window.

That is according to a report from The Sheffield Star, who say that the Owls are keen to secure a new contract for the 23-year-old.

Bernard made the move to Hillsborough last summer, signing on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United.

Following that move, the centre-back became a key player for the Owls this season, making a total of 36 appearances across all competitions for the club.

Now it seems as though that form has seen the Jamaican international attract plenty of attention from elsewhere, in the lead-up to the summer.

A number of clubs want Sheffield Wednesday defender Di'Shon Bernard

When Bernard joined Sheffield Wednesday last summer, he only signed a one-year deal at Hillsborough, that did not include the option to extend.

As a result, the 23-year-old will be free to leave the club for next to nothing in the summer, if no new contract is agreed in the coming weeks.

According to this latest update, the Owls are now keen to extend Bernard's deal at Hillsborough, and have already entered into negotiations with his representatives about a new contract.

Bernard is apparently one of several first-team players the club are in talks with about a new deal.

However, they will face competition for his signature. It is thought that a number of other Championship clubs - one of which is expected to be among the favourites for promotion next season - are also keen on Bernard.

There is also thought to be teams from abroad who are keen to sign the 23-year-old ahead of the 2024/25 season, who have perhaps been alerted to his current situation following impressive performaces in the second tier of English football.

Sheffield Wednesday of course, completed a dramatic great escape from relegation to League One under Danny Rohl on the final day of the Championship season.

A 2-0 win over Sunderland at The Stadium of Light saw the Owls eventually finish 20th in the final standings, three points clear of the relegation zone.

They can therefore start to plan for another campaign in the Championship next season, which they seemingly hope Bernard will be a part of.

Interest in Di'Shon Bernard will be no surprise for Sheffield Wednesday

It does seem to make a lot of sense to see that Wednesday are keen to keep Bernard this summer, and that others want to sign him at the same time.

The centre back was one of the Owls' best performers last season, playing a key part in helping them avoid relegation.

As a result, he is someone who may be able to help take the club forward, and having become a popular player around Hillsborough, this is certainly a deal that would go down well.

However, the fact that he has now made himself a proven Championship operator, and who could be available on a free transfer, means he is also going to be an appealing target for a number of clubs.

That is further enhanced by the fact that at 23-years-old, he has plenty of time to improve even further, and could make any club that signs him a big profit in the future.

With that in mind, it would not be a shock if there is a big battle for his services this summer.

If they do not win it, Sheffield Wednesday will no doubt be left kicking themselves that they did not sign Bernard on a longer contract last summer, or even include an option in his one-year deal - that at least, would have ensured they could have received a fee for him if he was to move on before the start of next season.