PRESTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 29: Danny Rohl, Manager of Sheffield Wednesday, celebrates towards the fans following the teams victory after the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale on December 29, 2023 in Preston, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Sheffield Wednesday should sign an ‘outstanding’ partner for Barry Bannan this summer.
Sheffield Wednesday have recently received the fantastic news that Danny Rohl has signed a new contract, but the future of a number of their players still remains in doubt.
The likes of Barry Bannan, Josh Windass and Di’Shon Bernard will surely extend their stays following the German’s announcement.
However, the Owls will still have to bolster the squad elsewhere to ensure they aren’t in the same miserable position that they have found themselves in for most of the campaign.
With Tyreeq Bakinson and George Byers coming to the end of their contracts, while Momo Diaby and Jeff Hendrick have returned to their parent clubs, Wednesday are looking particularly light in the middle of the park.
Bannan needs a quality partner alongside him if they are to push for a top half finish next season, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Marc Leonard could be the man for the job.
Marc Leonard could be an ‘outstanding’ addition
Leonard is yet to make his league debut for Brighton, having spent the last two seasons on loan with Northampton Town.
The 22-year-old helped win promotion to League One, before being named Northampton’s Player of the Year as they finished in 14th place.
Leonard really stood out in his first season in the third tier, picking up five goals and six assists in 46 games.
The midfielder proved to be vital going forward with his goal contributions, as well as making the eighth-most key passes in League One (68).
He also proved pivotal at the other end of the pitch too though, making the third-most tackles (116), the fourth-most interceptions (67) and blocking the third most passes (55).
Leonard has been ‘outstanding‘ for Northampton and there is no surprise that he has attracted interest from across the globe.
The midfielder is attracting interest from across Europe
He is being targeted by a number of Championship clubs including Preston, Sheffield United and Hull City, as well as Rangers, Wrexham, Legia Warsaw and Sturm Graz from further afield.
The Scot still has a year on his contract with the option of a further year, but Brighton could now look to cash in on him this summer if they fail he isn’t going to make a mark on the first team.
Leonard could be a huge player for Wednesday and could form a brilliant relationship with his midfield compatriot Bannan.
According to transfermarkt, Leonard’s market value is only £382,000, which would prove a steal if any club managed to get him for such a bargain.
However, the continued interest in his signature suggests Wednesday would have to fork out a bit more to bring him to Hillsborough.
At only 22 years old, he certainly seems worth the money that the Owls could spend on him.
Leonard will be looking for regular first-team football and could arguably push for a chance at international football if he impressed alongside Bannan.
It will definitely be difficult to bat off interest elsewhere for the youngster, but he is the kind of player the club should be looking at if they want to improve next season – and also bring down the average age of the squad.
