A former target of Sheffield Wednesday has been released by his current club.
Sheffield Wednesday spent the January transfer window chasing a new forward as they looked to bolster their chances of staying up.
The Owls finished the season as the second lowest goal-scorers in the division, though the loan arrival of Ike Ugbo did end up being enough to help them avoid relegation.
Danny Rohl’s side were heavily linked with Duncan McGuire towards the end of the window and was initially expected that they could go back in for him this summer, but there has been very little mention of the Yorkshire club’s interest.
One other striker that they were briefly linked with in January was Scott Hogan, who has struggled for game-time with Birmingham City this term.
The ‘brilliant‘ 32-year-old netted 34 goals in his first four seasons at St Andrews, but managed only one goal and eleven starts this time round.
Scott Hogan is now available for free
Despite his declining form, Wednesday were rumoured to be targeting Hogan, though a move never materialised.
The Owls have now been handed a boost if they are still interested in the attacker, with Birmingham confirming that he would leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
Hogan will likely be in high demand in the EFL, though his £11,500-per-week wages could make his search for a new club a little harder.
Wednesday will surely be on the hunt for a new number 9, especially if they can’t lure Ugbo back to Hillsborough.
The 32-year-old isn’t suited to a new era at Hillsborough
It would be very surprising if they were willing to meet his wage demands though, especially given he has recently turned 32.
He is also not the goalscorer they need, and the club mays well keep the likes of Lee Gregory and Michael Smith if they were going to sign Hogan.
Wednesday need to start looking at younger players to build their squad around, with the loan arrivals of Ugbo, James Beadle and Ian Poveda bringing great influence in the second half of the season.
Rohl’s presence feels like it has rid Wednesday of their horrific transfer business now, and if they can replicate January’s success then fans could be left full of confidence come deadline day.
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