Sheffield Wednesday are now ‘unlikely’ to sell two players on deadline day.
Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith looked set to seal a move to Derby County earlier this month, with reports claiming a deal would get ‘done’.
However, The Owls seem to have very high demands to allow the 32-year-old to leave Hillsborough – demands that The Rams simply couldn’t agree to.
Smith’s future at Sheffield Wednesday remained in doubt though, especially when the club launched multiple bids to sign Duncan McGuire from Orlando City.
Meanwhile, Marvin Johnson had also been heavily linked with the exit door, despite his importance under Danny Rohl.
The German coach brought Johnson in from the cold and he has played the full 90 minutes of Sheffield Wednesday’s last eight games in the Championship.
However, his future became unclear when Ipswich Town launched a £1m bid to try and lure the winger south in what was said to be a ‘dream move’ for Johnson.
Sheffield Wednesday now look set to keep both players beyond tonight’s deadline though.
On Johnson, Sheffield Star’s Alex Miller said: “Hugely in-form, it would be mad to let Johnson go to Ipswich Town, wouldn’t it?
“Communication lines have apparently been kept open between the two clubs although the fee whispered is a large one. Our fairly sizeable bet is that he’ll stay.”
On Smith, he wrote: “Another one courted by a number of clubs including Derby County, Wednesday are reluctant to allow Smith to leave on loan and word is that their demands for a permanent deal are a little on the high side, too.
“He has played a part recently and an exit feels unlikely.”
Why is Michael Smith staying at Sheffield Wednesday?
Michael Smith has played in Sheffield Wednesday’s last three games in all competitions, though he still hasn’t started a game since November.
He has come in handy in recent weeks, but it will be interesting to see where he stands in the pecking order if The Owls do land Duncan McGuire or another striker.
Given that he is one of the club’s highest earners on a whopping £17,500-per-week, it does seem like a bit of a waste if he is just sat on the bench or even out of the squad all together for the remainder of the campaign.
We can surely expect to see him leave in the summer, though that could all depend which league Sheffield Wednesday are in come next season.