The Sheffield Wednesday target released in February will soon become a free agent again

The Owls tried to sign McGuire from Orlando City on deadline day, but lost the battle to Blackburn Rovers.

McGuire, however, would eventually return to Orlando due to a paperwork error at Rovers; The Owls are said to have retained their interest in McGuire, who has now scored five goals in 10 MLS appearances this season.

Meanwhile, Hogan looks set to become a free agent next month following Birmingham City’s relegation to League One.

So options open up for Danny Rohl, who will need strikers this summer, with Ashley Fletcher and Lee Gregory leaving, potentially alongside the likes of Josh Windass and Ike Ugbo, unless Wednesday can re-sign the latter.

Dwight Gayle is set to become a free agent at Derby County

Another striker that Sheffield Wednesday have been interested in this year, but missed out on, was Dwight Gayle.

The 34-year-old was let go by Stoke City shortly after the January transfer window closed, prompting a number of Football League clubs to show interest.

But it was Derby County who signed him. Gayle scored three goals in six League One appearances before picking up a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the final weeks of the season.

Out of contract next month, there is no news or rumors to suggest the Rams will renew his stay ahead of their return to the Championship and could spark another wave of interest in the former Newcastle United man.

Why a return to Sheffield Wednesday could work for Dwight Gayle

On the surface, Gayle doesn’t look like a very attractive signing for a Championship club; 34 years old and currently injured.

Although his injury is not believed to be serious and he could be fit for pre-season, heading into the summer on the back of a prolific, if short-lived, spell with Derby County.

Gayle certainly struggled in his previous spell with Stoke City, scoring just three goals in 45 league appearances.

But like many in the Sheffield Wednesday ranks, Gayle could be one to flourish under Rohl and there is reason to believe Gayle could do just that.

He is still a very agile player despite his age and someone who can be very clinical in the box like us saw during his time at Derby County.

And he would bring something a little different to Wednesday’s attacking options; as it stands, the Owls’ only options are Bailey Cadamarteri and Michael Smith, who are arguably both target men compared to Gayle, especially Smith.

Also, having Gayle alongside youngsters like Cadamarteri could really be beneficial to their development, so there is real potential with a free trade for Gayle.

While not a world-class signing, he could be a very useful one for the Owls, especially if a return for Ugbo doesn’t work out and Windass leaves as a free agent.

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