Sheffield Wednesday will have a busy summer as they prepare for their return to League One.

It has been a nightmare season for Wednesday, who suffered the earliest relegation in English football history when their fate was confirmed in late February, while they remain in administration almost six months on from former owner Dejphon Chansiri’s exit.

There is reason for optimism among Owls fans as Arise Capital Partners — a group consisting of David Storch, Michael Storch, and Tom Costin — nears completion of a takeover of the club, but the trio will have a lot of work to do this summer if they are given the go-ahead to take over at Hillsborough.

While Wednesday lost several of their major players over the summer of turmoil, they still have a few sellable assets, like goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who might attract substantial attention from abroad when the transfer window opens.

Charles has struggled with injury at times this season, but he has demonstrated his quality between the sticks whenever he has been fit, and in addition to his progress at club level, he has established himself as Northern Ireland’s number one goalkeeper, starting in their recent World Cup qualifier play-off defeat to Italy.

Charles’ performances appear to have been noticed, as TEAMtalk reported this week that Championship leaders Coventry City are the latest club to enter the race for the 20-year-old, while Premier League sides Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds United are also keeping an eye on his situation.

Henrik Pedersen discusses Pierce Charles’ future at Sheffield Wednesday amid speculation about Coventry City.

With a buyout yet to be confirmed, there is still a lot of uncertainty at Hillsborough, but despite supervising just one win this season, manager Henrik Pedersen is set to stay in charge of Wednesday under Storch.

Pedersen has made no secret of the fact that he has already begun planning for next season, but it remains to be seen whether the Dane will be able to rely on Charles in League One as demand for his services rises.

Following Charles’ excellent saves in the 1-1 home draw with Leicester City on Easter Monday, Pedersen praised the Northern Ireland international and stated that the Owls would not let him go without a fight.Pierce Charles is an excellent goalie. Normally, we talk about Pierce’s footwork; nevertheless, tonight he demonstrated his cerebral and defensive strength. “He delivered an outstanding performance,” Pedersen told the BBC.I don’t think anyone doubts his potential. He has a bright future, which is why we are so proud and happy that he is a part of Sheffield Wednesday. We will do everything possible to keep him for the future.”

Sheffield Wednesday may need to prepare for Pierce Charles’ dissatisfaction, notwithstanding Henrik Pedersen’s claims.

Wednesday’s interest in Charles is nothing new; the superb shot-stopper has drawn admiring glances in previous transfer windows.

It was reported in August that Premier League side West Ham United and Scottish heavyweights Rangers both submitted bids of more than £1 million for Charles, but neither received a response from the Owls, who were thought to be holding out for roughly £8 million at the time.

Strasbourg were also linked with Charles in the summer, and they made a formal bid in the January transfer window, but they were unable to reach an agreement with Wednesday’s administration, despite the fact that other players such as Barry Bannan and Bailey Cadamarteri had been sold to raise funds.

With Coventry and a slew of top-flight clubs reportedly keeping an eye on Charles ahead of the summer, it appears that the Owls’ resolve will be tested once more, and it would not be surprising if Rangers, now coached by former Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, make a fresh offer.

It’s unclear how much game time Charles would get if he moved up this summer, so Pedersen won’t have given up hope of persuading him to stay and be a part of an exciting new era at Hillsborough, but his chances of staying in S6 next season are dwindling.