According to Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk is prepared to sell young midfielder Connor Kirby next month, but it is a move that could come back to haunt them in the future.
What’s the word?
The 21-year-old has been impressing out on loan at League Two strugglers Macclesfield Town, where he has made 22 appearances in all competitions and has even been handed the captain’s armband on one occasion.
It is believed that several lower league clubs hold a keen interest in the central midfielder and Monk could well sell him in January with his contract due to expire later this summer.
He is currently on a season-long deal at the Silkmen so that would need to be cancelled before any move could happen.
Kirby has played just four times for the Owls’ senior team since making his debut in April 2018.
Wrong stance?
Monk could well be taking the wrong view on the academy prospect.
The 40-year-old possesses one of the oldest squads in the Championship with an average age just shy of 28. In addition to this, over ten first-teamers see their contracts come to an end at the end of the season.
There could soon be a mass exodus at Hillsborough, so the Owls chief should probably hold back on making such a rash decision next month.
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Kirby is only 21 years of age and has impressed despite all of Macclesfield’s problems. There’s no reason why he can’t come back and be part of the squad, let’s face it, he isn’t going to be worse than Joey Pelupessy.
Maybe he should remain at the Cheshire-based side and upon his return be offered a new deal. Play him in pre-season and reassess from there.
Monk can’t go into next season with the same bulk of players that have faced failure here every season, all ageing and entering the twilight of their careers.
Kirby leaving is far from ideal.
Meanwhile, could Wednesday clinch this rising starlet once compared to the likes of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen…?
