Exclusive: Sheffield Wednesday backed to sign ex-Sunderland man - "It’s an absolute no-brainer" | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has spoken to Football League World about the Owls’ emerging interest in free agent winger Duncan Watmore.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes it would be a “no-brainer” for Sheffield Wednesday to sign free agent Duncan Watmore, believing he would “fit the bill” due to his previous second-tier pedigree.

The Owls are suffering badly on the pitch so far this season due to the ongoing struggles off it with Dejphon Chansiri, sitting 23rd in the table with just a point taken from their opening five games - including four defeats.

The misery was compounded in the EFL Cup as the Yorkshire outfit were dumped out by Grimsby Town at Hillsborough this week, with the Mariners claiming another giant scalp after knocking out Manchester United in the previous round.

Henrik Pedersen will have to transform Wednesday’s fortunes quickly if they are to remain in the Championship beyond this season, and the Owls have reportedly been looking at the free agent market in an attempt to bolster the squad ahead of a demanding second-tier schedule.

As per journalist Alan Nixon, Sheffield Wednesday are eyeing up a move for Duncan Watmore, with it understood that the 31-year-old is keen on a move in a bid to secure regular gametime.

However, any decision over a move to the Yorkshire outfit will have to depend on the EFL, with any incomings needing permission before being allowed due to financial restrictions placed on the club.

With this news in mind, Lee Hendrie has spoken to FLW about a move potentially materialising, and whether it will benefit the Owls for the remainder of the campaign.

Lee Hendrie labels Sheffield Wednesday, Duncan Watmore move as “no-brainer”

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that a Sheffield Wednesday move for Duncan Watmore is a “no-brainer”, given he would cost them minimal money on a free transfer.

Hendrie said: “You look at Duncan Watmore having Championship experience, you think it would be something that might just fit the bill for Sheffield Wednesday.

"They need players, not just bang average players, and, on a free transfer, it’s an absolute no-brainer to try to push this one over the line because he would be a valuable addition. There’s no doubt of that.

“He can bring goals, he’s got energy and I think he’d fit the bill going in at Sheffield Wednesday, so I think this will be a really good signing for them, particularly because they don’t have to pay anything for him being on a free transfer.”

Duncan Watmore could play a massive role in Sheffield Wednesday survival bid

Duncan Watmore netted five goals from 26 appearances in the Championship last year for Millwall, and has shown he can chip in with goals at this level for Middlesbrough too.

The forward has struggled to become a top player in the Championship, but he could do a great job for a side that will be fighting against relegation this year, with his 174 appearances at second-tier invaluable to a team languishing towards the foot of the table.

Given Wednesday’s limited options to sign, this is definitely the best bit of business they can pursue at the moment, given his previous pedigree of being a superb asset at this level.

As mentioned, the 31-year-old has plenty of experience he can bring to quite a young squad, which could prove useful for Henrik Pedersen’s side and be pivotal to any survival push unfolding at Hillsborough.

From this, the Owls should be doing all they can to get Watmore to sign on the dotted line, with an extra source of creativity desperately needed to help turn the tables on a dismal start to the 2025-26 term.