Sheffield Wednesday examining fresh transfer move for Birmingham City outcast Harlee Dean

Sheffield Wednesday are considering making a summer move for Birmingham City centre-back Harlee Dean. Yorkshire Live understands the Owls are closely monitoring Dean's situation at St Andrew's as the League One club target more defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2022/23 season.

After being deemed surplus to requirements by Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer, Dean was allowed to spend the second half of last season on loan at Wednesday. His uncompromising style of play in the middle of the back three quickly endeared himself to the Owls faithful.

But injuries curtailed Dean's involvement, limiting him to just eight starts and one substitute appearance across all competitions. Two separate calf problems meant Dean missed a number of matches but he returned to the side to feature in their two-legged play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland. He started both legs of the tie as Wednesday suffered play-off heartache, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

The 30-year-old faces an uncertain future, having returned to Birmingham. Dean, who has made over 180 appearances since joining the Blues in the summer of 2017, has a year remaining on his current Birmingham contract but Bowyer has already played down the prospect of the player forcing his way back into his plans.

Speaking to the media back in April, Dean claimed he would not be with the Blues next season and would be available on a free transfer. However, Dean was not part of Birmingham's summer cull following the conclusion of the Championship campaign. Defender Kristian Pedersen and forward Jeremie Bela were among the eight players released and are set to leave the club at the end of June.

Sources say Dean enjoyed his time at S6 and that he got on well with Wednesday manager Darren Moore.