Sheffield Wednesday look set to miss out on the signing of former loan man Ian Poveda.
Sheffield Wednesday want to re-sign Ian Poveda this summer following his release from Leeds United.
But it looks like Poveda is set to join Sunderland having had links to a number of other Championship clubs including Luton Town and Burnley.
It comes after Poveda’s Leeds United exit following a tough four-year spell at Elland Road which saw the 24-year-old feature just 30 times for the first-team.
After joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan last January, Poveda went on to feature 10 times in the Championship, grabbing one assist and becoming a huge fan favourite.
Owls fans have been desperate for Poveda to return this summer but he’s now nearing a permanent move to Sunderland, where it’s thought that he’s set to sign a four-year deal.
Sunderland are making an effort to sign more experienced Championship players this summer, after paying for a lack of experience in the side last season.
Possible reason for why Ian Poveda snubbed Sheffield Wednesday return emerges
Sheffield Wednesday fans, and indeed Danny Rohl may be surprised to hear the news that Poveda is set to sign a four-year deal at Sunderland.
Injuries have plagued his career so far and may clubs, including the Owls, may have only been willing to give Poveda a one or two-year deal, because of his fitness record.
Posting on X on Wednesday, journalist Michael Graham suggested that Sunderland were able to win the race for Poveda by offering him a four-year contract.
Graham posted:
Why Sheffield Wednesday may not have handed Ian Poveda a four-year deal
There were suggestions earlier in the summer that Poveda was open to returning to Hillsborough.
That suggests that the ball was in Wednesday’s court. But Graham’s tweet may hint that Wednesday weren’t willing to offer Poveda a contract anywhere near the four-year mark.
Sheffield Wednesday are going about their recruitment much smarter with Rohl at the helm this summer; signing more younger players who can go on to become valuable assets.
Whilst Poveda is someone with potential, still being just 24 years old, Sheffield Wednesday saw firsthand last season the injury troubles that he has, so a four-year deal may not have been smart business should Poveda arrive and then be sidelined for most of the seasons ahead.
It’s certainly a risk for Sunderland to offer Poveda such a lengthy contract. But if they can keep him fit then they’ll have one of the best attackers in the Championship next season.