Sheffield Wednesday’s transfer business appears to have slowed to snail business as they close in on deadline day.
The Owls were so quick to bring in plenty of new additions at the start of the window, but still have some final pieces of the jigsaw to put together.
Despite bringing back Ike Ugbo, The Star has claimed that Sheffield Wednesday are looking to bring in another forward, as well as a left-fooded centre-back.
However, from their interest in recent weeks, their main focus appears to be a new midfielder.
Danny Rohl doesn’t have many options in the No. 6 role and that proved to be a real problem in their 4-0 defeat to Sunderland.
Wednesday were recently linked to Alfie Devine and also Bayer Leverkusen’s Gustavo Puerta, however recent reports have claimed that the latter is likely on his way to Hull City now.
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Sheffield Wednesday ‘failed’ to bid for Bundesliga gem
While fans may have been concerned that they were missing out to their Yorkshire rivals, journalist Alan Nixon has claimed they never bid for him in the first place.
He wrote on his Patreon: “Gustavo Puerta has picked a move to Hull City in a bid to help his Colombia international career.
“Midfielder Puerta is leaving Bayer Leverkusen to join the Tigers on loan for the season despite rival interest.
“Danish side Brondby and Greek team PAOK Salonika wanted to take Puerta but was keen on English football as he thinks it helps him break into the Colombia side full time.
“Puerta has had a hard time at Leverkusen and they were hoping to cash in on him but he chose Hull as a loan option instead.
“Sheffield Wednesday also wanted Puerta but they failed to table an offer despite a long term interest.”
Why didn’t the Owls try to sign their long-term target?
According to Transfmarkt, Puerta is a midfielder – able to play as both a No.6 and No.8.
The Colombian is clearly very talented after earning himself a move to Leverkusen in January 2023.
He struggled for game-time with the Bundesliga champions though, and it is apparent that Wednesday were keeping an eye on his progress.
Given their long term interest, it is quite surprising that they didn’t push forward with a deal for Puerta.
The 21-year-old is joining Hull on loan, so wouldn’t have cost the Owls loads of cash either.
It would have been a solid option for Rohl, but perhaps he has his eye on someone else and is working on a deal elsewhere that he thinks will be much better for the club.
Fans will definitely trust Rohl’s judgement, so hopefully a midfielder can be brought in over the next week.