Carlton Palmer has explained what Sheffield Wednesday need to do if they are to have a chance at signing Duncan McGuire.
Sheffield Wednesday made the Orlando City striker their main priority in the final days of the transfer window, seeing multiple bids rejected.
McGuire had already been the subject of interest from the likes of Anderlecht and Blackburn Rovers, with the latter deciding to reignite their interest and battle the Owls for his signature.
It was incredibly stressful couple of days for supporters, who went from expecting McGuire to join their Championship rivals, to the move collapsing overnight.
Sheffield Wednesday had been handed a lifeline, before Blackburn snatched him from their grasp once again and announced his arrival on deadline day.
However, the saga didn’t end there, with the club later confirming that the deal hadn’t gone through as they hadn’t submitted the paperwork before the 11pm deadline – resulting in McGuire returning to the MLS.
Blackburn are already working on a deal to sign him in the summer, however reports have also claimed that Sheffield Wednesday will make another attempt to sign him themselves.
Their pursuit of the 23-year-old took up a large chunk of their deadline day and Danny Rohl’s side have now been encouraged to not let it distract them while they try to avoid relegation.
Speaking to Football League World, Carlton Palmer said: “Wednesday have a lot of work to do, at present to preserve their Championship status for next season.
“Before the transfer window closed, they were in for the Orlando striker, who was due to have signed for Blackburn. The only reason he did not sign for Rovers was because of a clerical error at Blackburn’s end.
“Blackburn have been doing well, they’ve been in the top half of the table so only time will tell whether this would end up being a good signing, but, first of all, Wednesday have to stay in the Championship, and they’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then to decide whether they want to sign the likes of McGuire and whether they can take him forward.”
How likely are Sheffield Wednesday to land Duncan McGuire?
Sheffield Wednesday wasted a lot of time trying to sign Duncan McGuire last month, and if it had paid off then it would have been great, but they were instead left in a very tricky situation.
The Owls clearly really like the US international and he would perhaps be a good signing if they can stay in the Championship, but the club really shouldn’t be thinking about their transfers right now.
Danny Rohl‘s side are far from safety and need all their focus on staying up before they consider battling Blackburn once again.
It will be interesting to see if Rovers remain as interested in McGuire following John Dahl Tomasson’s exit from Ewood Park though, with John Eustace appointed the day after the club confirmed the failed transfer.
You would assume that Blackburn would still be McGuire’s desired destination, though Sheffield Wednesday need to give themselves a chance at snapping him up by staying in the division first.