Chris Waddle warns Sheffield Wednesday in Stockport County transfer race | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle believes that Championship sides will be in for Odin Bailey this summer

Sheffield Wednesday will be targeting top-end League One stars in their bid to rebuild a squad capable of getting out of the third tier at the first attempt, but there may be Championship clubs looking to take their targets.

Odin Bailey looks set to have a busy summer filled with phone calls from numerous EFL sides after his release from Stockport County at the end of his contract this summer.

The 26-year-old had his best season out of the three he spent at Edgeley Park last term, forming a partnership in the engine room with Ollie Norwood that kept club captain and last season's Team of the Season midfielder Lewis Bate out of the side upon his return from injury.

However, the Hatters decided to move on from him as they look to begin a new era, and Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly considering bringing him to Hillsborough, keeping him at a promotion-hunting League One side.

But, despite Wednesday's status as one of the bigger fish in the third tier, a path to bringing Bailey to South Yorkshire may not be as simple as they may hope.

Chris Waddle believes Championship clubs will rival Sheffield Wednesday for Odin Bailey

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Former Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle feels that the Owls won't be the only side interested in Bailey this summer, and that they may have to fend off competition from clubs in the Championship for the 26-year-old.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Waddle hopes that his former side can see a successful pursuit, as he'd be a "plus" to add to the ranks this summer. But, he concedes that all they can do is put in a bid and hope they can sell themselves as a better destination than the Championship.

"He did well for Stockport in this division," he said. "He's got experience in this league; there has been a lot of talk of clubs, higher in the Championship mostly, looking at him.

"All Wednesday can do is talk to the guy and offer him a deal. He's a plus, put it that way. He's not going to be somebody who we don't know, or has no experience in the game, or in that league.

"He's played in that league now, he's had good reports, and people do rate him quite highly in that division. Wednesday, I'm sure, will be looking, but there will be a lot of other clubs and maybe some in the Championship."

The Owls do have ambitions to get out of League One as soon as possible, as David Storch and the Arise consortium have worked tirelessly in the five weeks since their takeover was announced to eradicate any points deductions and wage restrictions, as well as put together a strong structure off-field, too.

There's a high likelihood that Bailey could end up playing Championship football at Hillsborough in the near future if he chooses to sign there, but the League One side will have to do a lot of persuading to stop him from reaching the second tier this summer.

Odin Bailey would be a brilliant signing for Sheffield Wednesday if they can get it over the line

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Bailey played fewer than 1,000 minutes for Stockport in their first season back in the third tier a couple of years ago. Of the 30 league appearances he made, only eight were starts.

However, he always showed good abilities with the ball in that limited time, and it was always difficult to dispossess him. While this past term has seen him improve, it hasn't been a case of increased performance just because it's a contract year — he's clearly taken advantage of the role he's been given.

The six goals he scored in all competitions doubled the tally from his previous two years at Edgeley Park, and he added five assists, too, working well next to one of the best midfielders in the EFL in Norwood.

At Sheffield Wednesday, he'd arguably be one of the main operators in the engine room and likely one of the first signings of the new era. It'd be a big responsibility, but one Bailey can take on.

Wednesday just needs to hope that they can fend off Championship opposition to get him. If they can, Owls fans could be in for a thoroughly entertaining summer window.