Millwall Enter Three-Way Battle for Sheffield Wednesday's Ingelsson
Millwall have joined a competitive bidding war with Championship rivals Portsmouth and Stoke City for Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Svante Ingelsson, as the January transfer window reaches its climax. This development follows the Lions' recent acquisition of Barry Bannan from the same Yorkshire club, indicating a strategic focus on strengthening their midfield options.
Multiple Bids Rejected as Wednesday Hold Firm
According to transfer specialist Darren Witcoop and reports from The Star, Sheffield Wednesday have already turned down initial approaches for the Swedish international. Millwall are understood to have submitted a bid of approximately £300,000 earlier this week, which was promptly rejected by the Owls. Portsmouth have also made a similar financial offer, with both clubs falling short of Sheffield Wednesday's valuation.
The 27-year-old midfielder is under contract at Hillsborough until 2027, with the club holding an option to extend for an additional year this summer. This contractual security has empowered Wednesday to resist what they perceive as undervalued bids, despite the club's well-documented financial challenges.
Pedersen Praises 'Tremendous' Midfielder Amid Transfer Speculation
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen publicly addressed the transfer interest over the weekend, confirming that an offer had been received but rejected as insufficient. "We received an offer but the answer was no because the offer was not good enough compared to the quality of Svante," Pedersen stated. "Of course there is a lot of speaking right now about many of our players, but I hope we can keep as many as possible."
Ingelsson has established himself as a crucial component of Pedersen's squad this season, making 27 Championship appearances. Since joining on a free transfer from German side Hansa Rostock in 2023, he has featured 66 times for the Owls, earning praise for his performances. Following his debut in a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, The Star journalist Joe Crann described his display as "tremendous" and "one of the best Sheffield Wednesday debuts that I've seen in a long, long time."
Transfer Deadline Approaches Amid Continued Monitoring
With the transfer deadline imminent, Millwall remain actively engaged in negotiations while Stoke City continue to monitor the situation closely. Derby County have also been mentioned as potential suitors, adding further complexity to the transfer saga. The persistence of multiple clubs highlights Ingelsson's perceived value in the Championship market.
Sheffield Wednesday face Wrexham at Hillsborough this weekend, while Millwall host Sheffield United at The Den, with both matches occurring just before Monday's deadline. The outcome of these fixtures could influence final transfer decisions as clubs assess their immediate needs and available resources.
This transfer activity underscores the intense competition within the Championship as clubs seek to bolster their squads for the season's crucial latter stages. Millwall's pursuit represents their second significant move for a Sheffield Wednesday player this month, demonstrating a clear tactical approach to their January business.
