According to Alan Nixon, Sheffield Wednesday is willing to pay the £4.5 million asking price but hopes to come to an agreement on a deal for Ike Ugbo.
Ugbo, a striker, was on loan from Canadian national team Sheffield Wednesday for the second half of the previous season, and he was instrumental in keeping the team in the Championship.
The former Chelsea prospect, who was still thriving away from parent club ESTAC Troyes, moved to Hillsborough after spending the first half of the season with Cardiff City.
Ugbo contributed an assist and seven goals in 19 games for the Owls. It should come as no surprise that the Steel City group has been strongly linked to a reunion, even though one hasn’t materialised as of yet.
Reporter Alan Nixon has now disclosed the exact amount Troyes are requesting for Ugbo on his Patreon page.
According to him, the French team is hoping to get a sizable £4.5 million for the 25-year-old this summer. Sheffield Wednesday’s reluctance to accept that valuation makes sense, although they are still holding out hope that Ugbo and Danny Rohl can work out a deal.
Nixon mentions Birmingham City’s interest once more, a League One team that has been linked this summer. He does add that Ugbo might not be thrilled about going down to League One.
A deal to be done?
There might not be many teams ready to part with the £4.5 million Troyes is asking for Ugbo.
But as Sheffield Wednesday hopes, a job ought to be available for a somewhat lesser cost. The striker’s parent club isn’t exactly in a strong negotiating position, despite their high asking price.
Because Bordeaux was administratively demoted, they were relegated to the third division and then promoted to the second division of French football. Troyes could therefore benefit from obtaining a respectable price for a player.
It’s possible that Ugbo will raise funds, albeit not as much as the £4.5 million that is being asked for.
The striker is Sheffield Wednesday’s top target, and manager Rohl is committed to getting him back. However, it needs to be within the club’s budget; if not, they will move forward with other options that are lined up.
An important signing
Although Sheffield Wednesday has had success in the summer transfer window thus far, they still need to add a striker. Charlie McNeill has entered the team as a top option, but it appears that he is more of a long-term addition.
After proving himself as Rohl’s main talisman during the previous season, it makes sense that the team wants to bring Ugbo back permanently.
However, Wednesday needs to decide quickly because Troyes is asking for a high price. Can they come to an agreement regarding the Ugbo fee? Will they have to look elsewhere, or what?
As the new campaign draws nearer, those questions may receive an answer sooner rather than later.
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