Owls still confident despite deal delays
Brian Laws is confident key defenders Richard Wood and Tommy Spurr will sign new deals with Sheffield Wednesday despite making the club wait for a decision.
Both players are almost certain to be in the sights of other clubs as they approach the last 12 months of their current contracts, as will be goalkeeper Lee Grant, linked with Manchester City despite securing a new deal recently.
Wood is believed to be a target for Roy Keane at Ipswich, among others, while Spurr is known to be much admired by many with Queens Park Rangers having been consistently linked with him in the past.
The rumour mill further suggests Wood – who was pursued by Coventry last season – is being monitored by Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock and could also be on Sheffield United's radar.
But Laws, who insists he has had no approaches, is unconcerned by the delay, although he admits it won't be allowed to drag on indefinitely.
He told the Telegraph: "We wouldn't force anybody to stay. Players have to want to play for this club and be totally committed. But, from talking to Richard and Tommy, I know they are committed.
"In my opinion, it's a case of when and not if…"
Laws understands that the players are merely exercising their prerogative. It's a delicate balance, though, because the club have to protect themselves against diminishing valuations.
Currently, both would carry a valuation of 1m plus – perhaps twice or three times that in the case of left-back Spurr, who has been tipped for a top career. Wednesday will need a firm indication of their intentions before the new season starts and, like all managers, Laws cannot completely rule out a sale.
But he admits: "It's up to them how long they take. There are offers on the table to them and there are ongoing negotiations which I expect to continue through the summer.
"There is no need to go chasing because they are under contract for another year. I'm not overly concerned. Equally, you don't want it to drag on.
"We don't want to sell and we don't have to sell. But we all know that there is a price for everybody if it is very good money."
Meanwhile, Laws – who could probably re-invest any money from a sale – has back-up options in the unexpected event of his season-long loan move for West Ham's teenage forward Freddie Sears falling through. One of them is Everton's 21-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe.
"You have to spin a number of plates and hope one will drop for you," said the Owls boss. "I always believe a deal is never done until someone signs. So it's important you prepare yourself by not putting all your eggs in one basket."
It is thought Laws has a verbal agreement with West Ham – where he has a long-standing relationship with former Chelsea coach Steve Clarke – to sign Sears later in the summer.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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