Michael Smith exits Sheffield Wednesday - Barnsley, Rotherham United, Portsmouth should look to swoop ASAP | OneFootball

Portsmouth, Rotherham United, and Barnsley should all consider moves for Michael Smith, following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday.

Michael Smith is now in search of a new club after his contract at Sheffield Wednesday was terminated by mutual consent, amid a financial crisis which has left players keen to leave.

Smith joined the Yorkshire-based side in 2022 from Rotherham United. Since then, he has gone on to score 32 goals and chip in with 14 assists in 127 appearances for the Owls, but has now been allowed to depart Hillsborough.

The 33-year-old was linked with a move to Wrexham in January which never materialised, but is now set to find a new club along with former colleague Josh Windass, following their requests to leave Sheffield Wednesday being granted.

Smith ended last season as Wednesday's second-highest goalscorer in the Championship, with eight goals to his name in 41 outings. He also notched a further four assists, proving once again to be a reliable attacking outlet in the second-tier.

There have been reports emerging about Wrexham and Middlesbrough showing an interest in the striker, so with the race for his services hotting up, Football League World looked at three clubs who should sign Smith this summer, and why.

1 Barnsley

This suggestion isn't one that will be popular with any Wednesday supporters, but could be a move that makes sense for both the player and Barnsley.

Despite adding Reyes Cleary and David McGoldrick to their attacking arsenal this summer, Conor Hourihane's side could do with another experienced striker to play alongside Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Smith could be the perfect fit for the Tykes, as his experience at both Championship and League One level would be a welcome addition, and coming off the back of a strong season at Sheffield Wednesday could make the transition seamless.

Logistically, the 33-year-old wouldn't have to move far due to Barnsley's proximity to Sheffield, and his hold-up play alongside Keillor-Dunn could help form a formidable partnership in League One.

Having departed Yorkshire rivals Rotherham in favour of joining Sheffield Wednesday, Smith could now make the short journey back to the New York Stadium to add to his legacy for the club.

In his four years with the Millers, Smith played 210 times in all competitions, scoring 60 goals and assisting a further 21, including a prolific season in 2021-22, as he led his side to promotion from League One.

Rotherham have fallen on hard times in recent years, and Steve Evans' return to the club ended in failure, and the departures of Jonson Clarke-Harris and Malik Wilks have left them rather short of options up front.

A move to bring Smith back to S60 would be a statement of intent by Matt Hamshaw, as they look to make up for last season's struggles. A proven goalscorer at League One level, the striker would bring some much-needed firepower to the Millers' front line to add to Sam Nombe's goalscoring attributes.

If Smith wants to remain in the Championship and is open to relocating in the twilight of his career, a return to Portsmouth could be an excellent option for the experienced attacker to continue playing in the second tier - he previously played for the south coast outfit between 2016 and 2017, scoring 10 times in 37 appearances.

Whilst minutes will be harder to come by at Fratton Park, the 33-year-old proved last season that he's still more than capable of producing strong numbers at Championship level in a mid-table side, which is exactly what Pompey will be hoping to be next season.

John Mousinho has got star striker Colby Bishop and hotshot Tommy Waddingham on the books already, but Smith would offer a much different option to these two as a potential impact player from the bench.

His physical prowess, experience, and leadership qualities could make him somewhat of a game-changer for Portsmouth, and whilst it's unlikely he'd be playing week-in-week-out, Smith would certainly offer a new dimension to the Pompey attack.