Sheffield Wednesday have received a boost in their efforts to re-sign Ike Ugbo. The Owls are eager to bring the striker back after his successful loan spell last season, where he netted seven goals. However, their initial bid was rejected by Troyes, and the challenge of re-signing him has been compounded by financial constraints and significant interest from other clubs.
Reports now indicate that Ugbo is very keen to return to Yorkshire, and if Wednesday can meet Troyes’ valuation, they are likely to secure his transfer. Troyes is expected to demand more than the £2.5 million they paid for him two years ago, raising concerns about whether Wednesday can afford the fee. Manager Danny Rohl is wary of letting the saga drag on until the final days of the transfer window and may need to explore alternative options if the deal falls through.
One such option is Tyrese Campbell, a former Stoke City striker who is now a free agent. Campbell was released by Stoke at the end of the season, partly due to his injury troubles. Despite this, the 24-year-old has shown great potential, contributing 15 goals during the 2022/23 season and finishing as their joint top scorer. Over his career, Campbell has tallied 36 goals and 21 assists in 164 games for the Potters.
Injuries have plagued Campbell, including a knee injury that sidelined him for nearly a year during the 2020/21 campaign and a hip injury that limited his starts last season. However, he appeared to regain his form at the end of the season, scoring in consecutive games against Southampton and Bristol City. Despite this, he was not offered a new contract and is currently without a club.
Campbell’s talent remains evident, and he previously attracted interest from Premier League clubs such as Everton. Given his current free-agent status and the challenges of his recent injury history, top-flight clubs may no longer pursue him, potentially allowing Sheffield Wednesday to swoop in. Adding Campbell to the squad could bring valuable goals, and if the move doesn’t work out, it wouldn’t be a significant financial loss for the Owls.