Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri must avoid the temptation to cash in on this one Owls man this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday have re-stocked their first-team squad in time for the start of the 2024/25 Championship season later this month.
Danny Rohl has a new-look team to work with after completing the signing of nine new players before the Sheffield Wednesday headed to Austria and Germany for part of their pre-season tour.
Nine new signings is also combined with all of Dominic Iorfa, Barry Bannan, Liam Palmer, Josh Windass, and then Di’Shon Bernard signing new deals, after their previous contracts expired.
So Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday are in a good place. There’s a good mood surrounding the club going into this new season with a real sense that Wednesday could surprise a few people.
Before the August 30th transfer deadline, expect some more signings, and expect one or two player exits too, with some loans and maybe even some permanent exits on the cards at Hillsborough.
Rotherham United loosely linked with Michael Smith at Sheffield Wednesday
There’s rumours, albeit social media speculation, that Rotherham United could have a passing interest in Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith.
Already this summer, Rotherham have signed Cameron Dawson and Reece James following their Wednesday releases, with speculation that Rotherham boss Steve Evans now fancies a move for former Millers hitman Smith.
Last season, the 32-year-old Smith scored four goals in 31 Championship outings, often finding himself out of starting contention under Rohl, but definitely playing his part in the final weeks of the campaign.
Per sources online, Smith is one of the highest-earners at Sheffield Wednesday, bringing in £15k-a-week.
Dejphon Chansiri must resist temptation to cash in on Michael Smith at Sheffield Wednesday
Smith is in a bit of a predicament at Wednesday in that he’s not entirely favoured by Rohl, and that he’s out of contract next season.
But the end of last season showed that Smith can compliment a Rohl set up, with his goal-scoring tally from the last few years also proving that he’s someone who can score goals in the Football League.
Sheffield Wednesday don’t have too many natural finishers in their ranks as things stand.
With possible interest in Smith, either from Rotherham or maybe even elsewhere, it’d be tempting for Dejphon Chansiri to cash in and avoid losing Smith on free transfer next summer, saving on the wage bill at the same time.
But with striker options low and a return for Ike Ugbo looking uncertain right now, selling Smith may be a hasty move from Chansiri and Sheffield Wednesday.
And keeping Smith at the club may also open the door for Bailey Cadamarteri to leave on loan, even if no new striker arrives.
Cadamarteri playing regularly next season should be more of a priority for Chansiri than taking Smith off the wage bill, as Cadamarteri could go on to become a very valuable asset for Chansiri, if managed properly.
It’s a difficult one to weigh up, and interest in Smith from Rotherham looks very speculative right now. But keeping him seems like the best bet.