According to reports, Sheffield Wednesday are interested in Newcastle United defender Grant Hanley as Carlos Carvalhal gets back to prep for the next season. The Scottish centre-half has been a regular inclusion in Rafael Benitez’s Championship winning time last season although he didn’t see much of the first team action, and Sheffield believes it could be reason enough for the player to leave St. James’ Park.
The Owls were in for a real heartbreak this season end as they lost to Huddersfield Town in the Play-off semi-finals on penalties. However, after maintaining a decent position among the top four in the Championship table for almost the entire season, Sheffield surely knows now how it is to be done and they won’t need many changes to the side.
They have one of the best defences in the Championship and the figures show it. The Owls had conceded only 45 goals last season, which was the third best defensive record in the Championship last term, only five more than promoted side Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
And, Hanley won’t be more of a redundant addition but a wise one in terms of the amount Newcastle are asking for the player. Sheffield had previously tried to get him last summer window itself but the Scotsman decided to sign for Newcastle. Now, with the Magpies demanding around £5million for the player, a move makes sense given his experience.
Title challengers Derby County also had a keen interest in the player, but they didn’t want to miss out the signing of Hull City defender Curtis Davies for a cheap £500,000. It means the Owls are pretty much the only major competitor for the player and Hanley’s limited game time under Benitez could be a major factor in the 25-year-old choosing Championship over Premier League.
Newcastle’s increased interest in getting more centre-halves this summer pretty much cements the fact that Benitez doesn’t see Hanley in his plans. A Rangers’ academy product, Hanley moved back to Blackburn Rovers back in 2008. His first two seasons with them was mostly spent playing for the Under 23s and their reserve team before he got the big break in 2011 making as many 23 appearances in the Premier League.
However, Blackburn were relegated that season and haven’t managed to find a way back till now. His experience in top-flight football, as well as Championship, quite made him the candidate that Benitez was looking for last summer and he signed for the Magpies with a £45,000 per week deal.
With four more years left on his contract, Hanley won’t come cheap for Carvalhal, but he could be a wise addition, to say the least. And with the World Cup coming up, the 27 times capped player will surely be looking to impress.
