Sheffield Wednesday kept hold of their star man this summer despite interest from Derby County and Newcastle United.
Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Jon Newsome has suggested, via the Sheffield Star, that the Owls may have shot themselves in the foot over Fernando Forestieri.
Wednesday forward Forestieri refused to travel to August’s Championship fixture against Norwich City amid reports linking him with a move to either Derby County or Newcastle United.
The Italian later denied ever wanting to leave Hillsborough, however, through an official apology issued via the Owls’ website.
And though Forestieri’s regretful acknowledgement was seen by many as a win for Wednesday, the 26-year-old’s recent displays have left Newsome wondering if the Owls should have sold last season’s top scorer while they had the chance.
“The chairman’s (Dejphon Chansiri) stance surprised me and I admire him for standing firm,” the 46-year-old told the Sheffield Star. “He probably dealt with it in the fashion that he would have dealt with it in his line of business. He didn’t let Forestieri walk out and dictate terms to the club. But with hindsight now, has it worked? Has it achieved what we wanted?
“He hasn’t recaptured that form of last season so it does then pose the question ‘were we right to keep a hold of him?’ I said to somebody the other day that, hypothetically, if Wednesday decided to let him go in January, his value now compared to what it was last season would probably be half.”
Forestieri – who was reportedly valued between £12-15 million in the summer – has scored three goals in 15 outings this season, compared to five in 10 at the same stage last season.
And ex-Wednesday boss Brian Laws suggested to Sheffield Live TV on Thursday that the failure to force a move is behind the former Watford man’s sudden loss of form.
“Forestieri has had 10 clubs in 10 years,” he said. “Never really stayed.”
What price could Wednesday realistically ask for Forestieri?
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