Sheffield Wednesday linked with Brighton and Hove Albion youngster as centre-back search goes on

Sheffield Wednesday intend to sign another centre-back in the summer transfer window. It is an area Owls manager Darren Moore has already strengthened since the market reopened on June 10.

Ben Heneghan and Michael Ihiekwe have arrived on free transfers from AFC Wimbledon and Rotherham United respectively. The experienced duo featured in Saturday's pre-season outing at Alfreton Town.

Despite adding Heneghan and Ihiekwe to their ranks, Moore is keen to further bolster their options in central defence. He currently has four senior players to select from to play in a back three: Heneghan, Ihiekwe, Dominic Iorfa and Liam Palmer. Although Palmer has shown he can fill in and do a job as an overlapping centre-half, it is not his natural position.

Yorkshire Live understands Wednesday retain a strong interest in Harlee Dean. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Birmingham City man following the appointment of John Eustace as the Championship club's new head coach this week. Dean was frozen out at St Andrew's by previous boss Lee Bowyer but still has a year left to run on his Birmingham deal.

Dean spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Wednesday. He made nine appearances as the Owls fell agonisingly short of promotion.

Wednesday have also been credited with an interest in Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Haydon Roberts. The 20-year-old, who can also play in central midfield, was on the Owls' radar in the January transfer window.

And The Athletic's Andy Naylor has today suggested Wednesday are still keen on signing Roberts. The defender figured just three times for the Seagulls last season and they were all in the Carabao Cup between August and October.

Naylor, though, says the Owls' League One