League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday currently find themselves in a tricky situation in terms of preparing for the summer.

They would rather be in the promotion mix at this stage than not be there at all - but this uncertainty surrounding which league they will be in next season will make it extremely difficult for the Owls to make transfer moves in the coming weeks.

Who they target will depend on whether they are in the Championship or third tier next term, though officials at Hillsborough should already have contingency plans in place to deal with either scenario as they look to build their way up to being a formidable second-tier force again.

They will need to force their way past Sunderland and their potential opponent in the play-off final if they are to return to the second tier at the first time of asking - and look towards the future - we take a look at seven transfer dealings that could happen at Hillsborough in the early stages of the summer.

Centre-back Boyle has been on the Owls' radar for some time and according to Football League World sources in the latter stages of January, they were thought to have retained their interest in the 26-year-old.

Unfortunately for them, a move to Hillsborough didn't materialise in the winter but with the summer coming up, they could potentially steal a march on other sides and win his signature with second-tier football potentially on offer.

His contract at Cheltenham Town expires in the summer which could enable the Owls to offer him a higher salary with no transfer fee to pay, though they aren't alone in their pursuit of Boyle.

Huddersfield Town are also said to be tracking the 26-year-old ahead of a potential move in the coming months, though it remains to be seen whether this pursuit will continue if they are promoted back to the top tier.

Although current loanee Dean has another year on his contract at St Andrew's, he admitted earlier this month that he wouldn't be at his parent club next season as a player who is surplus to requirements.

As of yet, the defender is yet to express a desire to make his stay in South Yorkshire a longer-term one but hasn't ruled it out yet, so there's every chance they will be able to get a cut-price deal over the line for the ex-Brentford man.

Following a turbulent recent period in the West Midlands, it will be important for the centre-back that he's able to seal a permanent move away from Birmingham in the coming months.

However, manager Lee Bowyer is thought to be nearing the exit door and that could be a real game-changer with a possible successor potentially including him in his first-team plans. Dean's mind already seems to be made up though - and with that - an exit looks likely.

Yet another centre-back and another current loanee in Storey may also seal a permanent switch to South Yorkshire, though the Owls may need to be promoted at the end of this term if he is to make his move to Wednesday a longer-term one.

His contract at Deepdale doesn't come to an end until the summer of 2025 though, so Darren Moore's side may need to fork out a considerable amount of money to get this potential deal signed and sealed.

Establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet since his arrival in January, making 19 league appearances and scoring two goals in the process, bringing the 24-year-old could be a major boost to Moore who may want to play a back three again next season.

And having another option in the centre-back spot can't do them any harm considering how they struggled with injuries in this area earlier in the season.

20-year-old Durrant's contract at Blackburn Rovers is set to expire and with that, Wednesday have moved to take him on trial ahead of a potential permanent move.

Despite Tony Mowbray giving other youngsters like John Buckley and Tyrhys Dolan to shine this year, something that paid dividends for much of the campaign, he hasn't been tempted to promote Durrant who has been consigned to minutes with the club's Under-23s this term.

It's currently unclear whether he would slot straight into the first team or spent time in the Owls' youth system if he was to sign on the dotted line at Hillsborough, though the latter may be likely at this stage with similar happening to Jayden Onen when he signed on this year.

With Onen departing at the end of the campaign though, Durrant will be hoping to avoid the same fate.

This week, manager Moore signalled that Dawson would come back to Hillsborough for pre-season and this would make sense considering Bailey Peacock-Farrell is set to return to Burnley.

However, you would have to think Dawson's future would be under threat if they were able to get a shot-stopper or two over the line early in the summer, potentially creating a situation where Moore could make a U-turn.

If that does happen, he certainly wouldn't be short of interest following an impressive spell at Exeter City, with the Grecians one side interested in a fresh move for the 26-year-old when the summer comes along.

The future of Joe Wildsmith could also have a big say on whether a permanent or loan move would be sanctioned by officials in South Yorkshire for Dawson.

Berahino's contract at Hillsborough runs out in the summer and with a fresh deal yet to be agreed, it remains to be seen whether he departs in the coming months.

Scoring eight goals and recording four assists in 29 league appearances this term, he has certainly done enough to earn an extension in South Yorkshire, though some of his appearances have come from the bench and he's even been an unused substitute in some games.

If he is to remain with his current side, the forward may want reassurances of more game time next term and if Wednesday can't provide that, they may not be able to make a breakthrough in any potential contract negotiations.

There may not be a shortage of interest in his signature either with sides thought to have been keeping tabs on the 28-year-old in January.

Although the fact Brennan has been limited to 11 league appearances this term has partly been due to injury troubles, many Wednesday supporters have been baffled as to why he hasn't played at times when he's been fit this season.

If the Owls are promoted at the end of this term, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a loan move sanctioned for the 21-year-old with Moore potentially wanting to level up his defence in preparation for life in the second tier.

Who they manage to recruit over the summer will influence whether a temporary move is allowed though, with the club possibly not ready to let him go permanent just yet considering he's only 21.

His contract doesn't expire until 2024, so they have plenty of time to weigh up his future.