“Not to be sniffed at” – Sheffield Wednesday urged to sign 8-goal, 13-assist playmaker

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It is a big summer for Sheffield Wednesday after they secured Championship survival.

The Owls looked destined to make an immediate return to League One after a disastrous start to the season under Xisco Munoz, but a remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl saw them achieve safety.

Wednesday received a huge boost last week as Rohl signed a new long-term contract at the club, and it could be a busy summer as the German rebuilds his squad.

It seems that the Owls are already working on transfer deals as according to The Star, they have “made contact” with French outfit Brest over the potential loan signing of attacking midfielder Karamoko Dembele, although it is “still in the early stages”.

Dembele spent last season on loan with League One side Blackpool, and while Neil Critchley’s side missed out on the play-offs, the 21-year-old impressed with his performances, winning both the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.

HITC claimed in March that Everton, West Ham United, Fulham, Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Southampton, Leeds United and Middlesbrough were all keeping tabs on Dembele, while newly-promoted Championship side Portsmouth are also said to be keen, so Wednesday will face no shortage of competition for his signature.

Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit reacts to Karamoko Dembele speculation

FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Callum Maxted says Dembele would be an excellent signing for the Owls, and he believes Rohl could be the perfect manager to take his game to the next level.

“Dembele had a really good season at Blackpool, and I can only see Danny making him better,” Callum said.

“I think it’s up to Danny, but if he’s going to make him better, it can only benefit us, and we want to be known as a club that takes players like this.

“Someone like Dembele is at the age where he can kick on with a manager like that to help him to push to the next level.

“Hopefully it’s something that we look at and try for.

“The amount of goals that he scored for Blackpool is not to be sniffed at, and he’s always been a young talent who was looking to progress.

Karamoko Dembele could be the perfect Ian Poveda alternative for Sheffield Wednesday

It is difficult to disagree with Callum on this one.

Dembele enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Blackpool in League One this season, and while he was unable to help his side reach the play-offs, his performances suggest he is more than capable of making the step up to the Championship.

It may be tough for Wednesday to win the race for Dembele, particularly if there is Premier League interest in him, but Rohl has proven his ability to develop young players during his time at Hillsborough, and that could give them an advantage.

The Owls are keen to bring Ian Poveda back to the club this summer after a successful loan spell, but with Sunderland, Luton Town and Burnley also said to be keen, Dembele could be the ideal alternative if they are unable to secure the return of the Leeds United man.