Sheffield Wednesday are on the verge of rueing a missed opportunity by not securing the services of one of their sought-after attacking targets.

The Owls displayed a clear intention to strengthen their frontline during the summer transfer window, driven by their dismal goal-scoring record in the previous Championship season. While the club did manage to secure signings like Jamal Lowe, Ike Ugbo, Olaf Kobacki, and Charlie McNeill from their extensive list of targets, there is a lingering sense of regret over one player they let slip through their fingers – Karamoko Dembele.

The Yorkshire side had been linked with a host of exciting talents, but negotiations failed to materialize, leading them to settle for the quartet they eventually acquired. Dembele, who reportedly had an offer extended to Wednesday by Brest, continued to impress after a stellar season with Blackpool, where he notched eight goals and 13 assists.

Despite Sheff Wednesday making a bid for the winger, their failure to secure his signature allowed QPR to swoop in and secure the promising 21-year-old’s services. Dembele has since thrived in the Championship, showcasing his quality by contributing two assists in just three appearances and earning the highest player rating in the league according to WhoScored.

With an impressive stats profile that includes the third-highest number of key passes made in the division, Dembele’s impact at QPR highlights the potential opportunity missed by Sheffield Wednesday. While the Owls are content with Lowe’s arrival, the absence of Dembele’s dynamic threat in their attacking lineup has become evident.

As players like Kobacki strive to adapt to the Championship pace and others like Musaba and Gassama search for their finishing touch, the absence of an immediate impact player like Dembele stands out. The potential that Dembele could have brought to Sheffield Wednesday, with his ability to shine in the division from the get-go, now feels like a lost chance.

Despite residing in France for the better part of his formative years, Dembele’s prowess was evident and QPR’s advantage in securing his services now seems like a missed opportunity in hindsight for Wednesday. While the Owls can only reflect on what could have been, the lesson remains clear – sometimes the regrets of the transfer window are felt most keenly once the games begin.