Ike Ugbo features: 2 Sheffield Wednesday deals that will push August 30th transfer deadline
The Owls are rebuilding with 9 new signings, striving to strengthen the squad after avoiding relegation.
Ike Ugbo was crucial last season. Wednesday wants to make his loan permanent, facing competition from other clubs.
Mallik Wilks’ future is uncertain due to injuries. Potential exit, but might stay after positive remarks from a teammate.
It has been a busy start to the transfer window for Sheffield Wednesday after they secured survival in the Championship.
The Owls looked destined to make an immediate return to League One after a disastrous start to last season under Xisco Munoz, but they achieved safety following a remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl as they finished 20th in the table.
Wednesday received a huge boost as Rohl signed a new long-term contract in May, and the German has wasted no time in getting to work on rebuilding his squad.
The Owls have brought in nine new signings so far this summer, with James Beadle, Ben Hamer, Max Lowe, Yan Valery, Svante Ingelsson, Nathaniel Chalobah, Olaf Kobacki, Jamal Lowe and Charlie McNeill arriving at Hillsborough.
Liam Palmer, Dominic Iorfa, Barry Bannan and Josh Windass have all signed new contracts, but Cameron Dawson and Will Vaulks have departed after rejecting the offer of an extension, while Ciaran Brennan, Reece James, George Byers, Tyreeq Bakinson, Juan Delgado and Lee Gregory have been released.
With over a month until the closure of the transfer window, there are likely to be plenty more incomings and outgoings for the Owls, and we looked at two sagas that could go on right until the deadline.
In: Ike Ugbo
Striker Ike Ugbo starred after joining Wednesday on loan from Troyes in January.
Ugbo scored seven goals and provided one assist in 19 appearances in the second half of the season, and it is fair to say that without his contribution, the Owls would no longer be a Championship club.
Wednesday are keen to bring Ugbo back to Hillsborough on a permanent basis this summer, but according to The Star, their initial offer for the 25-year-old was rejected by Troyes, and the French side are now awaiting an improved bid.
Ugbo is reportedly keen to return to South Yorkshire, but the Owls face competition for his signature from Stoke City and Birmingham City, who are both set to make a move for the striker, while Queens Park Rangers are also said to be interested.
It remains to be seen how much Wednesday are willing to spend on Ugbo, but given the fact that Troyes paid €3 million (£2.5 million) for the Canadian international, they will likely be hoping to at least recoup that figure, and they may even be looking to make a profit.
A bidding war could now be set to take place with other clubs joining the race for Ugbo, and that may mean that his future is not sorted until late in the window.
Out: Mallik Wilks
After a lengthy transfer pursuit, winger Mallik Wilks joined Wednesday from Hull City in August 2022, but he has failed to live up to expectations so far.
Wilks has been plagued by injuries during his time at Hillsborough, and after he scored just one goal in 18 appearances in all competitions last season, he is facing an uncertain future.
Many had assumed that Wilks’ departure was inevitable this summer, but a recent interview with his team-mate Josh Windass, in which he said that the winger “looks in incredible shape”, has cast doubt on his potential exit.
It still seems likely that Wilks will be moving on before the end of the transfer window, and Football Insider claimed last month that League One trio Charlton Athletic, Reading and Stockport County are “exploring the possibility of securing a loan or permanent deal” for the 25-year-old.
Given that the Owls paid a transfer fee for Wilks, they will surely prefer a permanent deal rather than a loan, but there are question marks over whether any of his suitors could meet his valuation, and on the basis of Windass’ comments, it looks as though he is determined to fight for his place during pre-season, so his future may not be resolved any time soon.
