AND Sheffield Wednesday a player who was instrumental in their promotion back to Priority now wants to leave the club in the January transfer window, according to a new claim.
The latest news from Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls trade league commitments for Saturday night’s FA Cup commitments, traveling to Coventry City for an all-Priority clash in the third round.
Admittedly, the competition doesn’t favor this season, with Wednesday instead hoping to make a genuine play-off berth, sitting 10th in the table with 20 matches remaining this season. Last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Millwall saw them drop points, but Danny Rohlthe team is still in a good position.
The current transfer window could give the Owls a chance to strengthen their squad, if Rohl feels that additional signings will improve his side’s chances of returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2000. One report claims they have made a move for the Brisbane Roar striker Thomas Waddinghamwhich has been described as a “teenage sensation”.
On the other hand, however, there is a threat that Wednesday could lose key players before the end of the month, and a new update suggests just that.
Sheffield Wednesday’s influential stalwart wants to leave
According to a new report from Football Insider, Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Michael Ihiekwe “wants” to leave the club this month, amid “interest” from both Championship and League One clubs.
The 32-year-old is said to be “looking for regular first-team football”, after falling down the defensive pecking order under Rohl this season. The Owls are “open” to letting him go, feeling they have enough depth in that area of the field.
It remains to be seen whether or not Rohl is happy to see Ihiekwe go, or if it’s just those high up on the club, but losing him would affect the depth of Wednesday’s squad between now and the end of the season.
The veteran defender has been an impressive servant since arriving at Hillsborough from Rotherham United in 2022, helping the Owls seal promotion back to the Championship in his first season, following memorable League One play-off wins against Peterborough United and Barnsley.
Admittedly, Ihiekwe has he managed only three starts in the league so far this season, as his playing time has been limited, but he has been a reliable player so often, with the reporter Alex Miller saying of one view: “There were a few moments that could have gotten hairy early on. He threw his body at the goal on more than one occasion, a vital 68 minute block. A warrior on an afternoon that needed them.”
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There is an element of risk in letting Ihiekwe go, unless a direct replacement is brought in, but if he wants a new challenge at this stage in his career, it also makes sense to let him move on.
