Bolton wanderers make move for out-of-contract Sheffield Wednesday midfielder

Wanderers have reportedly inquired about George Byers, a Sheffield Wednesday midfielder poised to become a free agent this summer.

Byers played the second half of the season on loan at Blackpool, making 16 appearances as the Seasiders narrowly lost out on the play-offs. Neil Critchley’s side finished ninth, three points behind Barnsley, after a disappointing loss against Reading on the last day.

The 27-year-old helped Wednesday earn promotion to the Championship in 2022/23, scoring six goals in 29 games, including an incisive finish in a 2-0 win at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

During the first half of the season, he appeared in 20 second-tier games, scoring once in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham. According to the Sheffield Star, Bolton and Oxford have both “made enquiries” about Byers ahead of the play-off final later this month.

Meanwhile, Birmingham, Huddersfield, and Rotherham are reportedly monitoring the situation following their relegation to League One.

According to the report, Barnsley, along with Blackpool, are among his admirers after making a positive impression at Bloomfield Road in recent months.

Byers progressed through Watford’s Academy divisions before making his senior debut in 2015. He also represented Scotland at different youth levels.

The midfielder departed Vicarage Road in the summer of 2016 to join Swansea, where he spent the following five years, making approximately 50 appearances.

Byers was on loan at Portsmouth during the second part of the 2020/21 season, appearing 16 times in all competitions.

He moved to Hillsborough the following summer and has made over 60 appearances for the Yorkshire club in the last three seasons.