What Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk said about the future of Wigan Athletic target Jordan Rhodes as January transfer window nears end

The Star understands that Wigan Athletic, who inflicted the Owls’ fifth defeat in their last six Championship matches on Tuesday, made a derisory loan bid for Rhodes earlier in the transfer window.

The bid was rejected out of hand by Wednesday, with Monk clear that since the departures of surplus defensive duo Jordan Thorniley and Ashley Baker, he is yet to see any bid for a Wednesday player.

The 40-year-old Owls boss has hinted at a long-term clear-out at the club, questioning the character of some of his players after their ‘passive’ performance at the DW Stadium.

And asked about Rhodes’ future, Monk said: “I don’t know anything about any of that.

“Nothing has come across my desk on any player, nothing has been told to me from the club on anything I need to consider.”

Rhodes failed to make an impact as a second-half substitute in the Wigan defeat and on reports that the Latics are likely to come back with a second bid before Friday’s transfer deadline, Monk said: “It didn’t cross my mind.

“I don’t buy into speculation, I don’t read anything into that.

“I only deal with whatever the club tell me, if there is anything concrete or if there is anything to consider.

“Nothing like that has been said to me.”

Rhodes is Wednesday’s record signing at £8m and spent last season on loan at Norwich. Contrary to reports, his reported £40,000-per-week Wednesday contract is up in 2021, not this summer.

A classy first-half hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest remains the only highlight in what has been a disappointing season for the 29-year-old.

Asked whether the forward’s head has been turned by links away from the club, Monk said: “Speculation is speculation.

“It’s the same for a manager and for a player. Your job is to focus on what you’re doing and give your all for what you’re doing at that football club.”