West Ham and Crystal Palace must enter transfer race for 'kamikaze' Sheffield Wednesday defender - opinion

West Ham and Crystal Palace must act fast to ensure they are in the race for rising Sheffield Wednesday star Ernie Weaver as talks of Premier League interest in the defender begin to swirl.

The 18-year-old was somewhat of an unknown at Hillsborough before being thrust into first team action this season due to the ongoing difficulties at the Championship club. Weaver has excelled and looked mature beyond his years, which The Star believes has ignited Premier League interest in his services.

The hope at Sheffield Wednesday is that Weaver is tied down to a longer term contract but doing so is difficult given the financial breaches of owner Dejphon Chansiri. The Owls must seek permission from the EFL to hand out any contracts, including renewals to current players. The club is believed to have an extra year option on the player’s current deal, which was his first professional contract when signed this summer, but it is a precarious position to be in.

West Ham and Crystal Palace should prioritise future centre-backs

That could open the door for a Premier League side to invest in Weaver for a relatively small fee right now with the hopes that his value continues to grow. It seems a no brainer opportunity for West Ham and Crystal Palace.

The Hammers’ defensive woes are no secret with the side having already conceded 14 goals in the top flight this season, the worst tally. Centre-backs have come and gone in recent years with huge outlays spent on players, such as the £40 million on Max Kilman. Weaver looks the real deal and an investment that would come with fewer risks given his youth.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace must be thinking ahead to a potential life without Marc Guehi. The defender’s contract at Selhurst Park expires next summer and he is not short of suitors. While Weaver would unlikely be ready to make the step up to the Premier League so soon, there is potential he could be seen as a long term replacement.

Ernie Weaver earns plaudits with ‘kamikaze’ defending

The Star recently published a long read report into what makes the teenage defender so exciting, highlighting his kamikaze character at the back that sees him leave it all out on the pitch. Weaver has made eight senior appearances for the Owls this season, having been fast-tracked to the first team after the mass exodus of stars this summer.

The report claims that the teenager is already one of the first names on the teamsheet. It adds: “Not only is he prepared to chuck himself in front of every ball like his life depends on it, just as he did when he charged down Demarai Gray’s goalbound shot in the closing stages at St Andrew’s on Tuesday evening and celebrated it like a goal, as Wednesday tried so desperately hard to preserve their 2-1 advantage, but he is also portraying himself as a naturally born leader.

“He is constantly pointing, advising and talking to his teammates. It is not the sort of leadership you expect from a 19-year-old who had never played a game of senior football prior to the start of this season.”

In other news, Harry Redknapp rates West Ham's relegation chances after Nuno Espirito Santo appointment.