NO GO ON WESTWOOD
WEDNESDAY DETERMINED TO KEEP EX-SUNDERLAND KEEPER DESPITE BORO’S INTEREST
Sheffield Wednesday are determined to keep ex-Sunderland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, after he was linked with interest from Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
The Republic of Ireland international’s impressive form since joining the Owls in 2014, following the end of his Sunderland contract, has made him the subject of interest from a host of clubs in the Premier League and the Championship.
Reports in Ireland suggested that the 32-year-old was the subject of a £3million bid from relegated Middlesbrough.
The Teessiders have been interested in Westwood – Wednesday’s player of the season in two of his three seasons at Hillsborough – for some time and were linked with a move for him in previous transfer windows.
A goalkeeper is perhaps not new Boro boss Garry Monk’s priority, though the departures of Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan mean that veteran Dimi Konstantopoulos and Connor Ripley look set to compete for the No 1 spot this term.
IndicationsatWednesday suggest that boss Carlos Carvalhal would not allow Westwood to go, particularly to a club who could be a direct rival in the push for promotion to the Premier League.
Three of Sunderland’s Championship rivals strengthened their squads with new arrivals yesterday.
Twente midfielder Mateusz Klich, 27, joined Leeds United for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, the first signing of new boss Thomas Christiansen.
The Pole said: “I’m excited to come to England and test myself in the Championship. I can’t wait to get going.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock returned to former club Rotherham United to sign 26-year-old striker Danny Ward, who hit 12 goals for the relegated Millers last term.
Warnock said: “I’ve been chasing Danny since Christmas and I think we’ve finally got him now for an excellent price. Danny knows what I want and this is a great opportunity for him.”
Preston North End boss Simon Grayson tops the bookies’ list of favourites for the Stadium of Light managerial vacancy.
But he has tempted Manchester United forward Josh Harrop to join the Deepdale club on a four-year contract.
The 21-year-old scored on his United debut in May, but rejected a new Old Trafford deal.
Harrop said: “It’s a new start for me to get things going in my career and I’m buzzing to get playing and to make an impact in the team.”
New Norwich boss Daniel Farke has appointed fellow Germans Edmund Riemer, Christian Flüthmann and Chris Domogalla to his coaching staff, from Dortmund.