Sheffield Wednesday have identified goal threat as a clear priority this summer and are understood to have opened dialogue over a forward who was central to Bolton Wanderers’ promotion charge last season.
Owls chase proven League One contributor
Henrik Pedersen’s squad overhaul continues with recruitment focused on the final third, and attention has turned to Mason Burstow, the 22-year-old forward currently on Hull City’s books. Sources indicate some contact has been made with the Tigers as Wednesday seek to add striking options.
Burstow scored 12 goals and registered five assists for Bolton Wanderers during their League One promotion campaign, playing as a central striker, on the wings and as a second striker at different stages of the season. He began the campaign as the Trotters’ main attacking outlet before moving into a more impact-style role after the arrival of a January loan signing.
“Of course, we still need some offensive players,” Pedersen told me
Player background and flexibility
A Charlton Athletic academy product, Burstow has experience across the English leagues and youth international football. He earned England under-20 caps and was picked up by Chelsea as a teenager in 2022. Since then his career has included loan spells back at Charlton, time at Sunderland in the Championship, and last season’s successful loan at Bolton.
Hull — newly promoted to the Premier League last season — are building their squad and are reported to be open to sanctioning Burstow’s exit, though a number of clubs are said to have registered interest.
How Wednesday could make a deal work
Insiders suggest Wednesday are operating close to an agreed EFL spending limit that covers transfer and loan fees. That restricts how much the club can outlay directly, but the Owls are able to offer attractive wage contributions to parent clubs which can make loan or structured deals feasible.
- Primary need: forwards and right-wingers identified as recruitment priorities.
- Burstow’s last season: 12 goals and 5 assists for promoted Bolton.
- Contract situation: Hull City reportedly willing to consider offers.
If Wednesday are to bring in another attacker before the campaign begins they will likely use creative deal structures to stay within EFL financial limits while strengthening Pedersen’s options up front.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Mason Burstow, 22 |
| Last season (loan) | Bolton Wanderers — 12 goals, 5 assists |
| Parent club | Hull City |
| Previous clubs | Charlton academy, Chelsea signing, loan at Sunderland (Championship) |
Fans will be watching the transfer market closely as Wednesday attempt to balance a tight budget with the clear need to add attacking quality. Any move for Burstow would be another sign that the club is prioritising players with recent, proven goal returns as it seeks an immediate return to the Championship.
