Sheffield Wednesday’s search for a free agent signing is looking increasingly bleak.
Sheffield Wednesday’s transfer business was brought to an abrupt end earlier this month, having missed out on Duncan McGuire in a dramatic battle with Blackburn Rovers.
While they also kept hold of Lee Gregory and Michael Smith, Danny Rohl has already admitted that the club will look to the free agent market to bolster the ranks.
Dwight Gayle’s unexpected release from Stoke City resulted in reports linking the striker with a move to Hillsborough, however they are yet to pursue Gayle and he remains without a club.
Sheffield Wednesday’s hunt has led to fans looking at the various different options they could bring in, with Lucas Joao one name that had been mentioned.
The 30-year-old spent four years with the Owls and had become a bit of a cult hero, scoring 29 goals and providing 13 assists in 127 games.
Joao eventually left to join Reading, before moving to the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Port when the Royals were relegated.
The forward scored three goals in China, however he soon found himself as a free agent and had been loosely linked with a return to England.
While Sheffield Wednesday are yet to land a free agent, a move for Lucas Joao is off the table after it was confirmed he had joined Qatari outfit Umm Salal SC.
The club’s social media channels posted photos of the striker signing his contract ahead of his new adventure, with the team sat mid-table in the Qatari Stars League.
Joao joins the likes of Marco Verratti, Sofiane Boufal and Rodrigo playing in Qatar.
Where do Sheffield Wednesday look now?
Lucas Joao probably would have been one of the best options for Sheffield Wednesday to take on a free transfer, having scored seven goals for Reading as they were relegated last season.
Meanwhile, the likes of Lys Mousset, Lewis Grabban and Connor Wickham remain available, with the latter already enjoying three different loan spells at Hillsborough earlier in his career.
It won’t be long before more free agent attackers get snapped up though, and it begs the question as to whether Danny Rohl is still really looking or the club have settled for what they already have.
It certainly doesn’t seem worth picking up a veteran striker who is far from the quality needed, when Lee Gregory is sat at home raking in £8,000-per-week.