The club is also looking to secure the services of three current loan players for next season: James Beadle, Ian Poveda, and Ike Ugbo. While deals for Beadle and Poveda seem more straightforward, Ugbo’s situation is complex due to issues with his parent club Troyes. With Troyes battling relegation in Ligue 2 and likely to undergo restructuring, negotiating Ugbo’s permanent transfer may pose challenges for Sheffield Wednesday.
Troyes is reportedly finalizing the sale of Mama Balde to Lyon, a move that signifies their willingness to command significant fees for their players. Balde, who was on loan at Troyes this season, is set to be sold to Lyon for an initial fee of €6 million (£5.2 million), potentially rising to €6.5 million. This is a notable increase from the €3.5 million Troyes paid for him in 2021.
Balde, who plays as a winger, has had a productive season, scoring twice and providing three assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon. His performance comes after a successful spell with Troyes, where he scored 12 goals in the previous Ligue 1 campaign.
In comparison, Troyes acquired Ike Ugbo for €3 million in 2022. Despite Ugbo only scoring twice in 25 Ligue 1 matches during his time at Troyes, his impressive form in the Championship, netting 11 goals (four for Cardiff City and seven in 18 games for Sheffield Wednesday) during the 2023/24 season, suggests he has significantly increased his market value.
Considering Troyes’ recent dealings and their desire to recoup their investment, it’s likely they will seek a substantial fee for Ugbo if they decide to sell him this summer.
Another reason why Sheffield Wednesday may struggle to sign Ike Ugbo
Dejphon Chansiri might need to invest significantly to acquire Ugbo this summer, especially considering his impressive performance in the Championship, which has increased his desirability to potential buyers. Numerous clubs across England and Europe could be eyeing Ugbo, seeing him as a valuable addition to their squads. His success under Rohl, known for his technical and European coaching style, suggests to European teams that Ugbo could thrive in their setups.
Given the competition, it’s likely that several clubs could offer more than Sheffield Wednesday for Ugbo’s services. While Ugbo might prefer a return to Sheffield, Troyes’ decline in the French football hierarchy means they need to be strategic in the transfer market, potentially capitalizing on a high fee for Ugbo to strengthen their team.
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