Sheffield Wednesday dodged Leeds United transfer bullet - it burnt Sunderland in the end | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday missed out on the signing of Ian Poveda to Sunderland, but they will now be feeling a sense of relief.

As their off-field issues continue to mount, it feels like a long time since Sheffield Wednesday were able to operate normally in the transfer market.

During a nightmare summer of financial problems that plunged the club into crisis, Wednesday were able to bring in just two loan signings, with the EFL preventing them from doing any further business as owner Dejphon Chansiri was unable to prove he had the necessary funds.

However, it was not that long ago that the mood around Hillsborough was considerably different, and after completing the great escape under Danny Rohl in the 2023-24 season, there was plenty of optimism that the Owls would be able to kick on with their talented young manager at the helm.

Unfortunately, Chansiri's ambitions did not quite match Rohl's, and the German was restricted to mainly loan signings and free transfers last summer, while he also missed out on some of his key targets, including former Leeds United winger Ian Poveda.

Having impressed during his time on loan at the club, many Wednesday supporters were desperate to see Poveda return to South Yorkshire on a permanent basis, but given how he has fared at Sunderland over the past year, they may now feel they dodged a bullet.

Sheffield Wednesday were left frustrated by Ian Poveda, Leeds United transfer miss

Wednesday spent the entire first half of the 2023-24 season languishing in the relegation zone, and while Rohl made a big impact after his arrival in October, the squad did not have the required firepower to really get his survival mission going.

With all four of their January signings coming through the loan market, supporters were ready to turn on Chansiri for not supporting his manager, but a crucial relegation six-pointer against Birmingham City under the Friday night lights at Hillsborough in early February would change the course of their season.

Poveda made his first start for the Owls against the Blues after joining on loan from Leeds, and he lit up the game by providing the pace and attacking spark that Rohl's men had previously been lacking, with his assist for one of fellow loanee Ike Ugbo's two goals capping off what was a fine individual performance.

Inspired by Poveda's flair and creativity, Wednesday went on to win five of their next six games to move within touching distance of safety, but after missing the defeat to his parent club Leeds in early March, the winger only made three further appearances for the club as injuries began to plague him.

Thankfully for the Owls, Poveda's absence did not prove to be costly as they went on to secure their Championship status without him, and while the Colombia international was sidelined for much of the final two months of the season, his memorable performances in the early stages of his loan spell had supporters clamouring for his return in the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday will be relieved amid baffling Ian Poveda, Sunderland situation

Despite producing many bright displays, Poveda only provided one assist in 10 appearances for Wednesday, and some supporters had reservations about bringing him back due to his lack of end product, but the vast majority of the Hillsborough faithful were keen to see the club complete a deal for the winger.

However, it quickly became clear that the Owls would face strong competition for Poveda's signature, with West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town and Cardiff City all said to have been keen on him after his release by Leeds, and Sunderland eventually won the race for the 25-year-old as they signed him on a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

Poveda's signing looked to be a coup for the Black Cats, but the warning signs were there right from the start of his time at the Stadium of Light as he struggled to break into the team, and even making the bench often proved to be a challenge.

Last season was one to remember for Sunderland as they won promotion back to the Premier League following an eight-year absence, but Poveda made a total of just six substitute appearances during the course of the campaign, with the last of those coming against former club Leeds in February.

While Poveda did suffer injury problems during his first season on Wearside, head coach Regis Le Bris added to the mystery around his absence when he stated in March that there were "many reasons" for his lack of game time.

It was, therefore, little surprise when Le Bris informed Poveda that he was not part of his plans for the Premier League in the summer and advised him to find a new club, but a move did not materialise, and as his exile from the first-team squad continues, he is stuck in a state of limbo, with his exit looking inevitable in the January transfer window.

Wednesday made a costly mistake in signing Ugbo permanently for £2.5 million after his loan spell, and that deal looks particularly flawed now amid their current financial turmoil, but given how badly his Sunderland career has flopped, they will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that they did not make a similar error with Poveda.