Ike Ugbo to leave Sheffield Wednesday? Hillsborough exit could be sooner than expected as update emerges | OneFootball

The Owls are looking at possible loan destinations for Ike Ugbo

Ike Ugbo could be set to represent yet another high-profile departure from Sheffield Wednesday before the January transfer window slams shut, with a fresh update emerging on the forward's immediate future at Hillsborough.

It's been a disappointing transfer window thus far for Henrik Pedersen's side. An already depleted squad has been gutted even further with the departure of Yisa Alao to Chelsea and the imminent departure of club captain and Wednesday legend Barry Bannan to Millwall.

And it doesn't stop there, as fellow influential midfielder Svante Ingelsson may also be on his way out before the transfer window slams shut on February 2, with Portsmouth confident that he can bolster their ranks in the engine room.

With all of this, it would come as a surprise if Wednesday were open to letting one of their few remaining senior players depart, but according to the Sheffield Star, that's exactly what their stance is on Ugbo, who has failed to nail down the starting striker spot this season, despite a squad gutted of options.

Sheffield Wednesday open to letting Ike Ugbo depart on loan this January

Sheffield Wednesday are said to be exploring a loan move for Ugbo to help him rediscover his form, with clubs in America, Canada and Belgium reportedly interested.

Ugbo has been out of action since late December with a hamstring injury, but he's reportedly edging closer to fitness, and that same report from the Sheffield Star states that Sheffield Wednesday are working to find him a new club in the coming days.

The 27-year-old has struggled since signing a permanent deal with the Owls last summer. After netting seven in 18 Championship games during a productive loan spell in the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign, the striker has failed to score in his 52 second-tier outings in the last season and a half, with both his goals in that time coming in the EFL Cup.

Because of that poor form, Wednesday are open to letting Ugbo move elsewhere in the short term to help rediscover his scoring touch, and clubs in America, Canada and Belgium are said to be showing interest.

Ugbo is a nine-time Canadian international, so a switch to North America could be optimal in ensuring his place in the upcoming World Cup.

Additionally, Ugbo's best scoring season came in the 2020/21 campaign in the Belgian Pro League for Cercle Brugge, so a move back there could offer a route to return to his scoring ways, too.

Either way, the 27-year-old hasn't been a regular player for Henrik Pedersen this season, and the opportunity to receive some wage contribution between now and the summer for the out-of-form frontman could be ideal for Sheffield Wednesday.

Given the circumstances at Sheffield Wednesday, it's been difficult for any striker to thrive there this season, as Henrik Pedersen's side are often on the back foot and hardly create many chances to score.

That being said, Ugbo hasn't been able to nail down a starting spot, with Jamal Lowe, Bailey Cadamarteri and, recently, Charlie McNeill showing more on the pitch than the 27-year-old.

It clearly hasn't worked out for the Canadian frontman after what seemed a real coup following his initial loan spell, and if Wednesday can get him off the books for a short period, while also allowing him the opportunity to put himself in Jesse Marsch's eyeline for the Canadian squad at the World Cup for the summer, a departure may be the best for both parties.

And, if Ugbo does leave in the next week, build his stock back up and rediscover that goalscoring form, Wednesday would be in good shape to recoup some money in the summer, or even have a confident frontman leading the line as they look to get back into the Championship next season.

Wednesdayites have been eager to see Ugbo offloaded for some time given his shortcomings infront of goal, with Football League World's Owls fan pundit previously predicting a summer exit.

However, that departure could now come sooner than expected, with the expectation having been for Wednesday to retain Ugbo until the end of the campaign in light of their struggles and decimated squad.