Sheffield Wednesday have a new name on their transfer radar; Wigan Athletic and Northern Ireland winger Jordan Jones.
An emerging report from HITC this week has linked Championship relegation candidates Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, and Huddersfield Town with a move for Wigan Athletic winger Jones.
The 29-year-old former Rangers and Sunderland man sees his current contract with the Latics expire at the end of this season.
Jones has netted twice and scored four in 17 League One outings for Shaun Maloney’s side so far this season, and Wigan are keen to retain his services.
Jordan Jones, the story so far
Jones is a graduate of the Middlesbrough youth academy but only ever made one cup appearance for the first-team before leaving for Kilmarnock in 2016.
He’s made his name in Scotland, featuring over 100 times in all competitions for Kilmarnock and earning himself a move to Rangers in 2019.
It didn’t quite pan out for Jones at Rangers; injury limited him to just 10 SPL appearances across his two seasons at Ibrox, with a loan spell at Sunderland during the 2020/21 campaign.
On the international stage, Jones has 15 caps and one goal for Northern Ireland, last playing in 2021.
He joined Wigan on a three-year deal in 2021.
Jordan Jones, player profile
- Age: 29
- Date of birth: 24/10/1994
- Position: Winger
- Club: Wigan Athletic
- Former clubs: Middlesbrough, Hartlepool United, Cambridge United, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Sunderland, St Mirren, Wigan Athletic
- Nationality: Northern Irish
- Contract: Until June 2024
Jordan Jones, what they say
“Jones is a very good footballer and before his Covid breach, he was probably a bit unlucky not to get more game time at Rangers. He works hard but his delivery is excellent and he can do things that others can’t on the ball. In all honesty, he should stroll League One if his attitude is right when he goes down there. He’s two-footed so can go inside or outside and has pace to burn. He can be a joy to watch when he’s on his game because of how direct and tricky he is,” – Scottish football journalist Mark McDougall.
“I thought Jordan was terrific today. He had a little spell when he sat out for a couple of games and he wasn’t happy with me or with himself. Since he got back in the team his performances have been absolutely electric. And it was the same again today. He’s a great talent and carries the ball very well for us. He creates chances for us so I’m delighted with Jordan, and for Jordan,” – ex-Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke.
Why Jordan Jones would be a shrewd addition for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday play with a very distinct front-line under Danny Rohl, with a lone striker and then, more often than not, two pacy wingers in Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama behind them.
The pair are still very young and very raw and so having someone with Jones’ experience could compliment the pair, as well as give them some added cover in attack.
And Jones is also a versatile player who can play on both flanks and even operate as a wing-back; Rohl may yet lose Marvin Johnson and so Jones could fil in for him, whilst also providing cover on the right where options are quite low right now, with Dominic Iorfa sidelined.
With his contract out in the summer and Wigan still dealing with financial issues, Jones could be available for a cut-price fee this month, but beating the likes of Rotherham United where former Wigan boss Leam Richardson is in charge, might not be easy.
But if Rohl can get this one over the line, it could be a very shrewd transfer for Sheffield Wednesday.