According to Sheffield Star journalist Joe Crann, Sheffield Wednesday are looking to bring attacker Karamoko Dembélé in on loan from French top-flight side Brest.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Blackpool in League One, while his parent club finished third in France and qualified for the Champions League. His senior football has been limited in France, but he impressed in the north-west, with 22 goal involvements in all competitions, helping Neil Critchley’s side to an eighth-place finish.
It’s now reported that he could be a target for Danny Rohl’s Owls, who will be seeking to kick on after narrowly avoiding relegation. The Owls’ form under Rohl was impressive, meaning Owls fans are hopeful for a better campaign. However, the report suggests the Owls have made early contact, but it is unclear whether the London-born attacker is available for loan.
His time at Blackpool is widely considered a success; he won the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season as they narrowly missed out on promotion. He has represented Scotland and England at youth levels, and while he may well be on the move again this summer, a permanent deal would command a fee; he is under contract until the summer of 2026.
Dembélé, who appeared for Celtic aged just 16, would most likely be a loan transfer, and it is unclear if that fits his parent club’s plans. However, his permanent value could be as little as €600,000 according to Transfermarket (£500,000), which could be within their reach.
Despite his tender years, he has been labelled as a prodigy for many years now. He made headlines when he appeared for Celtic’s Under 20 side aged just 13, but despite that promise, he only made ten senior appearances in four seasons before seeking his fortune across the channel. He improved slightly on that, with 18 outings for Brest across two seasons, before his loan move to Blackpool.
His older brother, Sirki Dembélé, is also based in England, having just experienced relegation with Birmingham City.
Writer’s View
There’s no doubt Dembélé was a star for Blackpool last season, and he wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship. With Brest qualifying for the Champions League, they will be looking at players who played higher than England’s third-tier last season, so a move to Hillsborough seems sensible for the young winger.
The best course of action would be a loan deal with a right to buy, if the Owls can swing it. Dembélé is still young, and has amassed experience that will be vital to his progression. Having watched him several times last season, he feels to be coming of age but is still young enough to have an explosive pace and impact.
This would be a huge coup for the Owls.