Sheffield Wednesday can now sign one of their January targets for £0, with his current contract set to expire next month.
Sheffield Wednesday, in the end, enjoyed a good January transfer window which went a long way in eventually securing their Championship status for another year.
The Owls brought in James Beadle, Ike Ugbo, and Ian Poveda; all on loan, with all going on to become key players and with all now wanted back at Hillsborough for next season.
Danny Rohl may be particular keen for Ugbo to return with Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking options currently depleted.
Josh Windass is out of contract and attracting interest from elsewhere in the Championship, with Lee Gregory leaving as a free agent, and Ashley Fletcher’s loan ending.
Michael Smith, Bailey Cadamarteri, and Mallik Wilks are Rohl’s only strikers going into the summer as things stand.
Duncan McGuire is said to still be a person of interest at Sheffield Wednesday. But another striker who the Owls wanted in January is no available for £0.
Scott Hogan set to leave Birmingham City
Scott Hogan, 32, is out of contract this summer, following what’s been a very tough season for both him and Birmingham City.
His side were relegated after finishing in 22nd place of the Championship table, with former Aston Villa and one-time Sheffield United striker Hogan scoring just once in 26 league outings.
Wednesday were strongly linked with him ahead of the January transfer window and then during; reports at the time suggested that Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri was ready to spend up to £30k-a-week on a loan striker, with Hogan the main man linked at the time.
Obviously though, Hogan never moved to S6. He continued to play a back up role for Blues where he was often used as a late substitute, hence his low goals tally.
But the Irishman netted 10 Championship goals in each of the previous two seasons and playing in a more attacking and positive Wednesday side under Rohl could be exactly what Hogan needs to get back on track.
Scott Hogan would be a shrewd signing for Sheffield Wednesday
On the surface, Hogan doesn’t look like that attractive a signing for the Owls; 32 years old, and just one league goal in a very poor Birmingham City side.
But in the 2022/23 season he was very sharp, scoring 10 goals despite averaging only 1.5 shots on target per game, scoring every 273 minutes (stats from Sofascore).
That same season, Hogan also averaged 0.7 key passes per game, linking well with wingers Tahith Chong and Juninho Bacuna, making him potentially ideal to link up in a similar set up with the likes of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama at Wednesday.
Despite his small stature, Hogan can be a good hold up player. He’s also very quick and nimble, and able to play the poacher role as well.
So Hogan is very experienced and versatile in his playing style. He’s scored Championship goals in the past and like so many others, he could really get back on his feet playing under Rohl.
With striking options low, a free move for Hogan could be very shrewd. The only sticking point would be the wages; £20,000-a-week as per Salary Sport which is in the same region as Barry Bannan, Windass and others.
A pay cut may be needed, but the chance to work under Rohl and regain form could entice Hogan itaking that cut.
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