Sheffield Wednesday have been told to tie down Bailey Cadamarteri to a new contract sooner rather than later.
Carlton Palmer stated in an interview with Football League World that the Owls cannot afford to lose another academy graduate.
At the age of eight, Bailey Cadamarteri signed with Sheffield Wednesday, the same year his father Danny ended his career as a professional football player.
The teenager was previously linked with a move to the Premier League following his brilliant form for the Under-18s, before signing his first professional contract last summer.
Although Cadamarteri made his senior debut in the EFL Trophy in October 2022, Darren Moore believed the player was not yet ready for a permanent role in the starting lineup.
Following his arrival in October, Danny Rohl reintegrated him into the senior team after he had been sidelined for the majority of the summer. Last month, the German gave Cadamarteri his first start in the Championship, which came against Leicester City.
The 18-year-old scored his first goal for the team just a few days later as Sheffield Wednesday defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-1.
With his current contract slated to end in 2025, Cadamarteri’s great breakthrough at Hillsborough has prompted the Owls to begin contract negotiations for a new one.
Carlton Palmer has now urged Sheffield Wednesday to tie him down quickly, while he is suggested that staying at the club could be the best plan for Cadamarteri.
“He’s an exciting young talent and the Sheffield Wednesday supporters and manager are very, very excited about the prospect of this young lad,” Palmer said.
“It’s important that the club keep hold of academy graduates rather than losing them as they have done in the past.
“So, it’s important that they tie him down to a long-term contract, and I’m sure given he’s getting the opportunity with a young manager, hopefully Sheffield Wednesday will stick with Danny Rohl, who I think has got a bright future in the game, and I think we’ll see more and more of these younger guys getting an opportunity.”
How important could Bailey Cadamarteri be?
With their comparatively ageing team, Sheffield Wednesday has fielded the Championship’s oldest average starting lineup thus far this year.
There seems to be very few academy players coming through and being given a chance to impress in the first team, but Bailey Cadamarteri is certainly an exception.
The striker has been really impressive since coming into the squad and it seems like Danny Rohl is the perfect man to get the very best out of him.
There is no doubt that other clubs will come in for him if he keeps rapidly improving, and they may not be able to do much about it if they are relegated.
Tying Cadamarteri down to a new contract should be a main priority during the January transfer window.
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