Watford are the current favourites to sign the Sheffield Wednesday forward.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri
Watford’s odds of signing Fernando Forestieri have been cut from 6/1 to 3/1 since Sky Bet’s market opened earlier this month.
The Sheffield Wednesday talisman was back in the Hertfordshire town, where he spent three years a Watford player, earlier this week, prompting a debate on social media as to whether or not the Owls should consider selling.
So what would be the pros and cons?
Pro
Though well-backed by one of Thailand’s richest men, Dejphon Chansiri, Wednesday’s summer plans could be hindered somewhat by the Football League’s financial fair play regulations. Any money raised from Forestieri’s sale – which could be as high as eight figures – could be put towards strengthening other key areas.
Con
Forestieri is without question Wednesday’s most likely match-winner and has scored or created 41 goals in 77 Owls appearances. Finding another player to replicate those stats would itself prove costly.
Pro
Do Wednesday really need a direct replacement? Carlos Carvalhal’s side boast arguably the Championship’s strongest striking quartet in Gary Hooper, Steven Fletcher, Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall, not having to shoehorn in Forestieri could enable a partnership – or two – to blossom. Let’s not forget both Newcastle and Brighton were promoted playing, more often than not, a four-four-two system.
Con
It’s not just the attacking side of Forestieri’s game that Wednesday would miss, with his tackles and interceptions proving vital to the Owls’ game these past two seasons. Whether he wants to be at Hillsborough or not, you can’t fault the Argentine-Italian’s commitment when on the field of play – even if he’s not fully fit.
Pro
If Forestieri does want out of Wednesday – and there’s no evidence to suggest that’s the case as things stand – then there’s no point keeping an unhappy player against his will. The Owls’ team spirit played a big part of their 2015-16 success and would be easier to replicate without such unwelcome distractions.
Con
Chansiri has maintained that Wednesday will not sell any of their key players against their wishes, and two and a half years on is still to be proved wrong. Selling Forestieri would contradict those previous statements and could invite offers for other players.
Should Sheffield Wednesday consider their star man’s sale?
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