Sheffield Wednesday could be about to lose defender Joost van Aken as he's targeted by Jaap Stam's PEC Zwolle, according to De Teleraaf, as reported by Football Oranje.

The former Reading manager swooped for attacking midfielder Pelle Clement last week, and he's now looking to 24-year old van Aken as the next Championship player to bolster his squad.

Van Aken has been at Hillsborough since 2017, joining from Heerenveen for an undisclosed fee, but his time in Yorkshire has been disrupted by injuries. He's struggled this season, making just two appearances, taking his total to 16 in a season and a half.

The report suggests that former Manchester United defender Stam is being made to wait though, with incoming manager Steve Bruce yet to make a decision on van Aken, who has two Dutch Under 21 caps to his name.

Zwolle are currently third from bottom in the Eredivisie and looking to make the signings that turn their season around, The Owls have also struggled this season, but look to have turned a corner having dismissed Jos Luhukay before Christmas.

The Verdict

Van Aken has barely kicked a ball for Sheffield Wednesday and would surely not be missed at all. His leaving might also free up some vital funds for Steve Bruce to make a signing or two.

They're not flush with cash at Hillsborough and any moves Bruce makes are likely to be self funded as they look to avoid any further issues with the FFP, a situation that dogged their pre-season preparations and ultimately cost Luhukay his job.