Expected to leave this week, which Championship clubs could sign Sheffield Wednesday’s Lucas Joao?

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Could Sheffield Wednesday’s Lucas Joao solve Barnsley or Burton Albion’s striker shortages?

Sheffield Wednesday striker Lucas Joao

Carlos Carvalhal has told The Sheffield Star he expects Lucas Joao to leave Sheffield Wednesday ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.

The twice-capped Portugal striker, who cost Wednesday £2.5 million according to Transfermarkt, has been out of favour at Hillsborough since the turn of the year, and spent the second half of last season on loan to Blackburn Rovers.

Despite starting only three of his 13 appearances for Blackburn, Joao still managed a respectable three goals, and both he and the Owls will surely be hoping for Championship interest this week.

But who could take him? HITC takes a look:

Burton Albion

Burton manager Nigel Clough

The Brewers may have signed Wolves striker Joe Mason during the week, but he is still one of only three available strikers, alongside Luke Varney and Marvin Sordell. At 6ft 3, Joao would certainly give Nigel Clough’s side a different dimension up front.

Barnsley

Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom

Also down to three strikers – in part due to Wednesday’s January purchase of Sam Winnall – the Tykes may also consider an approach for Joao, for whom a move across South Yorkshire could be extremely convenient. The 23-year-old has had least a year’s more experience in England’s second tier than any of Barnsley’s existing options – Tom Bradshaw, Ike Ugbo and Mamadou Thiam.

Preston North End/Queens Park Rangers

Preston striker Jordan Hugill

Though neither side are particularly desperate for strikers at present, that could soon change with Preston’s Jordan Hugill and QPR’s Idrissa Sylla said to be interesting other Championship clubs. Losing either player may lead to a last minute scramble for a replacement – and that’s where Joao could come in.

Anyone else?

While Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and Fulham are all keen to strengthen up front, they are also likely to have loftier ambitions than Wednesday’s seventh-choice striker. And even if that’s not the case, would the Owls really want to help out a likely promotion rival? Brentford are also short of out-and-out centre forwards, though whether Joao would fit into their stats-led recruitment process remains to be seen.