The Owls will be looking to improve on last season’s sixth-placed finish and the following trio – freed by Newcastle United, Southampton and Sunderland – could certainly aid their cause.
Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri
Gone are the days when Sheffield Wednesday had to rely on free transfers and short-term loan deals to stay afloat in the Championship – the Mail‘s Ross McCormack rumour (12 million quid?) is evidence of that.
But that doesn’t mean the Owls should dismiss those markets entirely – as the captures of Barry Bannan, Ross Wallace and Keiren Westwood so proves.
After last season’s near-miss, Carlos Carvalhal will be looking for quality over quantity this time around and the following three names would certainly inject some of that…
Centre-back: Steven Taylor
Though he may be out more regularly than a 17-year-old with internet-bought fake ID, Taylor’s near-200 Premier League appearances are not to be sniffed at. Still only 30 and with clubs of some pedigree – Celtic (Express), Galatasaray and Fenerbahce (both Fotospor) – said to be circling, Wednesday would be mad not to throw their hat in the ring for the former Newcastle man, especially after seeing Vincent Sasso and Michael Turner return to their parent clubs.
Not him? How about: Joel Ekstrand or Adrian Mariappa
Winger: Gaston Ramirez
Another reportedly attracting Turkish interest after Middlesbrough pulled out of negotiations (Gazette), Ramirez was a cut above in last season’s second tier – scoring seven goals and assisting another four in 18 outings. Targeting the 25-year-old, who’s been set for release by Southampton, may seem ambitious but then so were Gary Hooper and Aiden McGeady, for all he flattered to deceive. Reports of a pre-contract agreement with Uruguayan side Penarol (again, Gazette) which could cost £5 million to get out of, could be a sticking point.
Not him? How about: Stephane Sessegnon
Striker: Danny Graham
Wednesday have trodden this path before (Sheffield Star), but eventually ended up with Hooper. With Atdhe Nuhiu and Lucas Joao playing well at the time, a hold-up player like Graham perhaps wasn’t necessary, though signing the 30-year-old is an option that should be revisited if the Owls want to upgrade. 52 goals in 149 appearances at Championship level is damn good going, and why Celtic and Blackburn Rovers are sniffing (Glasgow Evening Times). The report suggests a medical with the latter could be close, so Wednesday may have to act fast.
Not him? How about: Steven Fletcher or Victor Anichebe
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