Sheffield Wednesday must join the transfer race for ‘scoring animal’ know Ike Ugbo

The Owls struggled in front of goal last season, although they found their goalscoring form more under Danny Rohl, finishing the season with just 44 league goals; the second lowest in the championship.

Ike Ugbo and Anthony Musaba were the top scorers with seven league goals each, followed by Josh Windass with six.

If the Owls are to beat the drop again next season, or even go one better and challenge at the other end of the table, then they will be in desperate need of bodies through the door this summer; especially in attack with Ugbo’s loan completed and Windass out of contract.

But Rohl could find the answer to Sheffield Wednesday’s goalscoring woes with a swoop for Motherwell and Canadian striker Thao Bair, who is the subject of widespread transfer interest at the moment.

Who is Theo Bair

Bair, 24, began his soccer journey in Canada with the Vancouver Whitecaps, but made a name for himself in Scotland with Motherwell.

He joined the club last summer and scored 15 goals and assisted a further six in 38 Scottish Premiership appearances, earning himself an unexpected place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Season.

Described as a “goal-scoring animal”, Bair is a pace and power forward who stands at 6ft 2in, with his highlights showcasing his ability to finish from close range.

In league games last season, Bair averaged 1.9 shots per game and 0.8 shots on target per game compared to Ugbo’s 1.3 and 0.6 respectively (stats from Sofascore).

Bair also scored 14 goals from inside the box compared to Ugbo’s 11 (in spells with Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday), Bair also overtook Ugbo for touches per game, averaging 28.2 against of Ugbo’s 19.5.

The likes of Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City are said to be interested in the Motherwell man, although German outfit St Pauli are currently thought to be leading the race.

It would be a potentially expensive move for Sheffield Wednesday given the widespread interest, with Transfermarkt valuing Bair at £0.85m.

But the Owls could have a spot where a potential move for Bair is eyed.

Sheffield Wednesday favorite Ike Ugbo knows Theo Bair

Bair has two caps for Canada, both coming in 2020. But his form for Motherwell in 2023/24 saw him recalled to the national team.

Was on the bench for Canada’s 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in March; a game Ugbo started with both Bair and Ugbo heading to the Copa America with their nation this summer.

Ugbo and Bair face uncertain summers. Ugbo is desperately wanted back at Sheffield Wednesday along with Ian Poveda, while January strikers Duncan McGuire and Mika Biereth are also keen on the Owls.

But McGuire and Biereth could be expensive pursuits, with the latter apparently valued at close to £6m.

Ugbo would also be expensive and Sheffield Wednesday may only be able to spend well on one or two players this summer, so the idea of ​​both Ugbo and Bair joining seems far-fetched.

But Rohl could do a lot worse than add Bair to his list of summer targets, and if an interest materializes, Bair could ask Ugbo for what would surely be a glowing reference for Sheffield Wednesday .

Bair’s scoring, assist and passing stats suggest he has Ugbo’s intelligence but can also provide better creativity in the final third, which in a dynamic Rohl set-up would be ideal.

Similar topics