Cut-price deal possible as Sheffield Wednesday target 2o-goal ace
Sheffield Wednesday are interested in signing loan star Ike Ugbo permanently after his successful loan, The Star has reported.
Sheffield Wednesday signed Canadian international Ugbo on loan in January, with the striker switching to Hillsborough after a stint with Championship rivals Cardiff City.
After four goals in 22 games for the Bluebirds, the former Chelsea man would go on to become a big hit with the Owls as he played a key role in their relegation fight.
Ugbo managed seven goals and an assist in 19 outings for Wednesday. All of his goals for the club came in wins as Danny Rohl’s side pulled off a remarkable turnaround to retain their second-tier status.
The attention now turns to summer transfer plans, and it seems Ugbo figures in the club’s thinking.
As per a report from The Star, Sheffield Wednesday are keen to sign the 25-year-old striker on a permanent basis following his successful loan. The club are hoping his temporary stint increases their chances of beating other sides to his signature.
Interestingly though, Ugbo’s parent club ESTAC Troyes could be relegation from Ligue 2. That potentially opens the door to a cut-price deal, despite the fact he’s under contract until 2026.
Wider interest inevitable?
It feels highly unlikely that Sheffield Wednesday will be the only ones after Ugbo this summer.
However, if Troyes are indeed relegation and the door opens for a cheaper deal to be struck, that will only catch the attentions of even more clubs following his success in the Championship this season.
Ugbo had found success in spells in Belgium and Holland previously but this has been his strongest season in English football to date. 11 goals in 38 Championship games is a thoroughly successful
return, but his role in build-up play at Wednesday has shown his abilities go beyond goalscoring.
That won’t have gone unnoticed as he looks to maximise the exciting potential he possessed in Chelsea’s academy.
