Sheffield Wednesday are now being rivalled by Birmingham City for this summer signing.
Sheffield Wednesday remain in the Championship’s bottom three, but already it seems like there’s attentions turning to the summer transfer window.
It promises to be another hectic one for the Owls who have a horde of first-team players out of contract, including some big names like Barry Bannan and Josh Windass.
Whilst several look set to be kept and several set to be released, Danny Rohl or whoever the manager is at Hillsborough this summer will need to bring in some fresh blood.
And already, Ian Poveda is being linked with a summer move; Rohl wants to sign Poveda and it’s said that Leeds United will release the Colombian international at the end of this season.
Birmingham City interested in Ian Poveda
But a move for Poveda won’t be so straight-forward for Sheffield Wednesday.
Not only would they likely need Championship status to entice the 24-year-old back to S6 on a permanent basis, but they’ll also have to hope that other teams don’t pip them to the potential signing.
And one team who could do just that is Birmingham City.
Wednesday’s relegation rivals were keen on Poveda in January and an emerging report from TEAMtalk now says that Birmingham City could swoop for Poveda on a free transfer this summer.
The same report suggests that Blues and Sheffield Wednesday are in a two-horse race to sign the Leeds man.
Sheffield Wednesday may have upper hand in Poveda transfer race
Poveda, described as a ‘class’ player by former Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy when on loan with the Seasiders, has really found his footing at Sheffield Wednesday.
Playing regularly, and under a manager who clearly has huge faith in his ability, seems to have given Poveda the confidence needed to start playing at his best.
And it comes after a tough few years where Poveda has been in and out of the Leeds first-team and shipped out on loan, though finally, he’s showing everyone what he’s really capable of.
And this is why Sheffield Wednesday may have the first say on Poveda this summer.
Providing they remain in the Championship and Rohl stays, Poveda would surely be keen on staying, as this current set up at Hillsborough is allowing him to flourish.
Going to Birmingham City who are in a downwards spiral surely wouldn’t do his development any good, whereas staying at Wednesday where he’s one of the main men in the side, playing in an attacking-minded and confident team, would surely be enticing.
Everything remains to be seen, of course, but it feels like Sheffield Wednesday have a very good chance of landing Poveda this summer.