Frederico Venancio has impressed for Sheffield Wednesday in recent weeks.
It’s hard to argue with that assessment, particularly when you compare and contrast the Owls’ two most recent performances – a 4-2 defeat at Queens Park Rangers without him and 1-0 win at Hull following his return.
Venancio hasn’t always united opinion however, and it’s perhaps fair to say he’s had to acclimatise to the role into which he was thrown cold, amid a glut of injuries mid-way through the campaign.
The recent return and calming presence of Tom Lees beside him is undoubtedly a factor in the 25-year-old’s improvement, although that leaves you to wonder what impact another lengthy Lees absence – of which there have been three in as many seasons – would have on his form.
With Glenn Loovens almost certain to leave at the end of his contract this summer and the future of Daniel Pudil still unclear, there would be plenty of logic behind a permanent deal for Venancio – whose recent appearance at a birthday party for the son of teammate Fernando Forestieri suggests he has settled equally well off the field, too.
But even if only two of those re-sign, Wednesday – in this writer’s opinion – still need better in Venancio’s position, and this is where my issue lies.
According to A Bola, the Owls must pay £2.6 million if they wish to turn Venancio’s contract full-time, as part of their agreement with Vitoria Setubal – the player’s parent club, and with whom he extended his deal until 2020 last summer.
It seems like a lot to pay for someone who, surely, could be replaced for less. And let’s face it, with Financial Fair Play to consider, it may not be feasible to spend that sort of fee on any player next season.
By all means bring him back – but if that’s how much it costs to do it then it’s a no from me.
How much should Sheffield Wednesday pay for Venancio?
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