Sheffield Wednesday player ‘preparing for talks’ with South Yorkshire rivals ahead of exit

One of the main surprises was the decision to let George Byers go this summer; his contract expires next month after a loan spell with Blackpool in League One.

Elsewhere, fans were mildly surprised to see goalkeeper Cameron Dawson offered a new deal after losing his starting XI to loanee James Beadle.

There have also been new deals for Barry Bannan, Josh Windass and Di’Shon Bernard, among others, with Danny Rohl and co looking to free up packs but retain their existing quality.

Another name to be released next month is Reece James; The left-back played just eight times in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, playing just one league game in 2024.

But the 30-year-old, who only joined Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent deal last summer, is now open to talks with one of the Owls’ South Yorkshire rivals.

Reece James is ‘preparing for talks’ with Rotherham United

James is reportedly open to talks with Rotherham United, who finished the 2023/24 campaign bottom of the Championship table.

But new manager Steve Evans has overseen a positive start to the summer, with the Millers having already signed three new players, including Jonson Clarke-Harris on a free transfer.

And now Rotherham could bring in James, who is “ready for talks” with the club, according to journalist Alex Miller, with James also of interest to other League One and League Two clubs.

Byers is also a person of interest at Rotherham United, according to Miller, with Byers also having widespread interest from clubs in the English Football League.

Sheffield Wednesday should keep Reece James

James certainly didn’t have the season fans thought he was going to have, and maybe he thought he was going to have.

He played 28 times in League One in 2022/23, scoring once and assisting three, and becoming a household name among fans for his creative and energetic performances at left-back.

But Rohl clearly did not favor him. The Owls played most of the time with five at the back with Marvin Johnson at left-back, while James might be better used at left-back.

Even in games where Rohl deployed a back-four, though, Johnson or Akin Famewo was still preferred, so it just seems like a case of James not being a Rohl-type player.

But he showed in League One with the Owls that he is someone who can really contribute at that level, so a move to Rotherham, who are steadily becoming strong contenders in League One next season, could be a very good move.

And for the Millers, bringing in a tried and tested quarterback in James can only boost their chances going into next season.

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