Report: Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday could battle over West Ham’s Jordan Hugill

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Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly interested in the West Ham United striker, and they could be joined in the race by Leeds United.

Sheffield Wednesday are monitoring Jordan Hugill’s situation at West Ham, according to a report from The Sun on Sunday (23/6; page 60), but they could face competition from Leeds should Marcelo Bielsa’s side end up losing a striker this summer.

Hugill’s exit from the London Stadium appears to be inevitable. The 27-year-old has made just three Premier League appearances since his £10 million move to the Hammers in January 2018 and spent this past season on loan at Middlesbrough, where he scored just six times in the Championship.

Despite his struggles, it seems that he is going to have a couple of exciting offers to possibly choose from. The Sun on Sunday (23/6; page 60) reports that the Irons are hoping to loan the forward out for the coming campaign, and the Owls are interested.

The report adds that the Whites would also join the race if they lost one of their front men. Kemar Roofe was outstanding for much of their season as they spent much of the year in the promotion driving seat, so it is probably little surprise that Leeds are making some plans in case they receive interest in their top goalscorer.

Will the Whites or Wednesday take the gamble?

Even on loan, signing Hugill would be a gamble for both Sheffield Wednesday or Leeds, particularly for the Whites who may only make a move if they lose Roofe or Patrick Bamford.

One of Bielsa’s side’s biggest problems was finishing a greater number of the chances that they created, and Hugill’s record hints that he may struggle to prove that he is the man to rectify that problem. He has only reached double figures for league goals once in his career.

Meanwhile, if Steve Bruce is working with a tight budget, loaning Hugill for the season is likely to take a large bite out of his kitty, so the pressure will definitely be on the former Preston North End man to make an impact at Hillsborough if he ends up joining Wednesday.