Can We Follow Preston's Lead?

Speculation is hotting up about the future of Wednesday stopper Lee Grant - but could the Owls value their prized asset at £20 million?

SPL giants Celtic and Premier League West Brom have both been linked with Grant - with Sky Sports today reporting that Brian Laws' Burnley have made a bid for him.

Of course, every player has their price, and Wednesday don't have the luxury of millions in TV revenue and parachute payments to boost their coffers for use in the transfer market.

But is Preston's stance of valueing goalkeeper Andy Lonergan at £20 million the way Wednesday can go about things too?

PNE boss Darren Ferguson is fending off interest from West Brom for their number one - revealing that the Baggies have made three bids for his services.

And he's been quoted as saying that he values Lonergan at £20m - quite a sum.

Not for one second do I believe Lonergan, nor Grant for that matter, is valued at £20m, despite his obvious qualities between the sticks.

But Ferguson's value is a tactic which very much says that Lonergan is going nowhere, and that a ridiculous sum of money would be required for West Brom to get their man.

It'd be nice to see Wednesday do the same with Grant - despite how ridiculous the sum quoted is.

I'm a realist and know that a 'good' offer for the former England U21 would be accepted by Wednesday, and hopefully used to boslter the squad with another goalkeeper, elsewhere, and also reduce the debt to an extent.

But a stance similar to Preston's would surely boost any potential offer from clubs interested in signing Grant.

Owls boss Alan Irvine has already revealed that the club don't have to sell players this summer, despite suffering relegation to League One last season.

It should mean that we can hold out for an offer which suits us, rather than the buyer, for our top players this summer - should any come in.

Keeping Grant is hugely important this summer, he's been a key cog in our team since his arrival and is one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Premier League - no doubt about it.

Hopefully the Owls board know his importance to the club and don't cash in for a quick buck.

We've done some good deals in the past, despite losing good players in Brunt, Whelan and Bougherra in recent seasons.

But those deals, although beneficial for the club financially, have played a big part in Wednesday dropping down the Championship from just outside the play-off places and into League One.

Let's hope the club play their cards right this time around - we need to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

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