Sheffield Wednesday are working on a deal to bring Troyes striker Ike Ugbo to Hillsborough until the end of the season, according to Sheffield Star.
The Owls confirmed the signing of 19-year-old goalkeeper James Beadle on loan from Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this week. Manager Danny Rohl is keen to strengthen his squad this month as he looks to pull off the great escape and earn Championship survival.
The German coach was appointed in October following the sacking of Xisco Munoz and joined the club with them sat rock bottom in the division. Despite the infancy of the campaign, an immediate return to League One looked nailed on, but the 34-year-old has performed wonders and they are now just three points from safety in 22nd.
Wednesday have won their last three games in all competitions, including the 4-0 FA Cup third round mauling of Cardiff City last Saturday. Coincidentally, their next transfer target currently plies his trade at the Welsh club.
Rohl is keen to bring in a new attacker this month and, according to the Sheffield Star, has set his sights on Canadian international Ike Ugbo. The 25-year-old has spent the first half of the season at Cardiff on loan from French club Troyes, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. However, a hamstring injury at the end of last year coincided with diminishing minutes and it is thought that his current loan spell could be terminated early.
The report states that a move to Hillsborough is on the cards and progress has been made in discussions with the three parties. The attacker is appealing due to his experience in the Football League, having also enjoyed loan stints at Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United during his time with Chelsea.
He departed Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal in 2021, joining Belgian outfit Genk, but headed out on loan to Troyes just five months later before joining permanently in the summer of 2022.
Sheffield Wednesday face a tough task to continue their recent good form this weekend when they travel to promotion-chasing Southampton.
Writer’s View
Championship survival is looking increasingly likely for Sheffield Wednesday, which is a testament to the job in which Danny Rohl has done thus far. He will be backed this month and a number of incomings and outgoings are expected at Hillsborough.
Ugbo started life at Cardiff City in spectacular fashion, netting in three of the opening four games of the season. However, the goals have dried up since and he has scored just once more when he bagged a dramatic winner in the late win over Preston North End in November. That said, he could still prove to be a difference maker, with the Owls the division’s joint-lowest goalscorers alongside QPR.
