Sheffield Wednesday must chase another Sheffield United ace after Max Lowe

Reports claim Sheffield Wednesday are in talks to sign Lowe, who will be released by the Blades this summer.

He could yet become Danny Rohl’s first summer signing in S6, kicking off what must be a busy summer transfer window for the Owls.

A host of other names have been linked this summer; Goalkeeper Ben Hamer is tipped to sign as a free agent, while reports in Europe say Sheffield Wednesday have agreed to sign Yan Valery from Angers.

At this point, however, it appears that the offers for Hamer and Lowe may be more advanced than any others.

Lowe will join names such as current Sheffield Wednesday full-back Marvin Johnson to play for both Steel City clubs, as well as Gary Madine, Derek Geary, Leon Clarke and many more.

Rohl may also find other suitable summer signings on Sheffield United’s shortlist, with one midfielder looking like a good prospect.

Ben Osborn ready to leave Sheffield United

Midfielder Ben Osborn, 29, is among those in ongoing talks with the Blades over a potential new deal at Bramall Lane.

But reports from the English Football League have linked Osborn with a number of clubs, including Derby County and Watford.

Former Nottingham Forest player Osborn joined Sheffield United in 2019 and has since made 134 appearances in total, with five goals and eight assists.

Predominantly a central midfielder, Osborn is also very comfortable on the left side; either as a full back or more of a left winger.

Osborn represented England at U18, U19 and U20 level, being named Nottingham Forest’s Player of the Season during the 2017/18 campaign.

Why Sheffield Wednesday should approach Ben Osborn

At 29, Osborn is arguably still in his prime. He also has enormous experience in the second tier, with 266 appearances in total in the Championship.

His versatility also makes him a manager’s dream, and if Lowe joins, Osborn and Lowe in the same XI and on the left could give Sheffield Wednesday a real outlet, between two players who know each other well.

Most importantly, however, Osborn would strengthen a very thin middle department; Will Vaulks’ move to Oxford United leaves Barry Bannan as the club’s only natural central midfielder ahead of this summer.

Osborn has been something of a rotational player for Sheffield United over the last few years, playing in various positions but always in a change.

Returning to his Player of the Season campaign with Forest, Osborn showed us what he’s all about; Playing predominantly as a left midfielder, Osborn has scored four and assisted five, averaging 73.7 touches per game, with an impressive 2.4 tackles won per game and 1.5 clearances per game, per SofaScore.

In the same season, Osborn also averaged more accurate passes per game than Bannan did last season, so he’s very useful on the left, but he’s probably more of a natural central midfielder now .

Someone with Osborn’s creativity in the middle of the park alongside Bannan could give Sheffield Wednesday a real outlet in midfield.

Of course, Osborn could go wide or even start as a winger. But Rohl needs bodies in the middle and someone with Osborn’s creative ability could really compliment the passing and attacking style of play at Sheffield Wednesday.

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