Owls Still Need To Up Sharp Bid

Wednesday still have a potential stumbling block in their bid to sign Billy Sharp - with a fee not even agreed with Scunthorpe despite being allowed to speak to the player.

Owls boss Brian Laws has revealed that he will enter in to talks with the top scorer in League One from last season within the next 48 hours as he looks to fill the gap left by the departing Steve Maclean and bolster his squad for the new season.

But Scunthorpe have yet to accept the Owls £1.5m bid for their prized asset - and will be demanding at least another £500,000 to add to the fee if Wednesday want to get their man.

'Sheffield Wednesday have been given permission to speak to Billy but they still have no chance of signing him unless they increase their current offer,' Iron chairman Steve Wharton told the Yorkshire Post.

'I am happy for Billy to go to any club of his choice - just as long as they meet the clubs requirements financially.'

Norwich City have already held discussions with Sharp after tabling a bid said to be closer to £3m with the potential add-ons included in the deal - and it's expected Wednesday will have to table a similar bid.

And it's rumoured that Wolves and Sheffield United will also be talking to the player within the next few days.

Laws told the Yorkshire Post: 'We know we face competition for Billy. We're aware of the interest from Norwich and Wolves and I understand Sheffield United are another contender.

'It's a matter of trying to do the best deal that we possibly can. He knows what I'm all about and there's going to come a time where he has to make a decision.'

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