Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce has given an update ahead of the summer transfer window, revealing that negotiations are already underway, according to the Sheffield Star.

But the former Hull City and Aston Villa man is also not expecting things to happen quickly, indicating that the season could be underway before deals are concluded.

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"In an ideal world, you would love to get them (new signings) in to start pre-season but in reality I don’t think that is going to happen," he said.

"We have got one or two things in the fire already so it’s a long and difficult summer ahead.

"It's time to have a freshness about us and a bit more legs, certainly in the wide areas, and I look forward to achieving that."

On Sunday, the Owls announced that six players would be leaving the club at the end of their contracts in June with George Boyd, Gary Hooper, Almen Abdi, Marco Matias, David Jones and Daniel Pudil all released.

Sheffield Wednesday rounded off their season with a  disappointing 2-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers at Hillsborough, a result which meant they finished in 12th place, ten points off the pace for the play-offs but 24 clear of the drop zone.

The verdict 

I think this is a promising and smart statement from Bruce.

The fans can take heart that he is preparing to change the overall ethos of the club and put more of a focus on fitness after recent injury problems.

But it is also true that it is not a process that will happen quickly and the fans will have to be patient.