Rovers host the Owls in the Championship on Tuesday.
Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle has confirmed via the Lancashire Telegraph that he tried to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Steven Fletcher during the summer transfer window.
Fletcher moved to Hillsborough in July after his Sunderland contract expired, and is thought to be among the Owls’ highest earners.
But according to Coyle, who brought the Scotland international to English football initially with Burnley, Fletcher had been keen to work with him again at Ewood Park – only for finances to scupper the pair’s plans.
“I brought Steven Fletcher to the country for £2.75m and subsequently he went for £8m and then £14m. He’s a wonderful player,” Coyle told the Lancashire Telegraph ahead of Tuesday’s league meeting between the two teams.
“I spoke to him in the summer to try and bring him to the club and he was keen to work with us again but when the representatives got involved financially we could get nowhere near it.
“If I tell you the amount of players I have brought in for the salary what would have been involved to get Fletcher, then you’ve got more than half a team.”
Though Fletcher has only scored twice in nine appearances for Wednesday so far, he has also provided two assists for his teammates and, when fit, is Carlos Carvalhal’s first-choice option up front.
Having missed out on Fletcher Blackburn turned to another ex-Sunderland man, Danny Graham, who has scored and assisted the same number of goals as his former teammate, in one less appearance.
Wednesday travel to Ewood Park nine places and six points better off than their opponents, although they are yet to win on the road this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
