Sheffield Wednesday must target 12-goal Plymouth Argyle star - one big factor could help them | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie should be on Sheffield Wednesday's transfer radar this summer.

With the Championship season now concluded, it is set to be a big summer of change at Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday emerged as outside play-off contenders after a strong first half of the season, but their promotion push collapsed following the turn of the year amid a decline in form and a host of off-field issues.

The Owls did still manage to record a top-half finish, which represents excellent progress after only narrowly avoiding relegation last term, but it is difficult to be confident that they will build on that achievement given the uncertainty currently hanging over Hillsborough.

Manager Danny Rohl is widely expected to leave the club this summer, but his move to Southampton is now far from certain after it was revealed that the Saints are in advanced talks with RC Lens manager Will Still, and that raises question marks about who - if anyone - will come in for the German if the South Coast outfit decide against appointing him.

After Rohl openly discussed his possible next move in a recent interview, his position at Wednesday has become untenable, but the delay in resolving his future could have a serious impact on the club's summer transfer plans.

Sheffield Wednesday should be eyeing Ryan Hardie, Plymouth Argyle swoop

Of course, the lack of clarity over the managerial position would be frustrating in any circumstances, but given the amount of work needed on the squad this summer, a swift resolution to Rohl's situation is crucial for Wednesday.

Despite many tipping him to leave the club this summer, the Owls have activated their option to keep top scorer Josh Windass, who netted 13 goals this season, at Hillsborough for another year, but while it will be a big boost not to lose his goals, the South Yorkshire outfit still look incredibly light in the forward areas.

Wednesday have also triggered their option to retain striker Michael Smith for a further year, while they have offered Callum Paterson a new contract, and it is a deserved reward for the pair, who both scored eight goals this season.

However, it was not long ago that both Paterson and Smith were both deemed surplus to requirements and looked certain to be heading out the exit door, and given that the duo are now 30 and 33 respectively, there are doubts over how much longer they can continue to deliver at Championship level, while there is a strong argument to suggest the Owls require a few younger - and more prolific - options up front.

Wednesday do have three other strikers on their books in Jamal Lowe, Charlie McNeill and Ike Ugbo, but Lowe was the only one of the trio to get on the scoresheet in the league this season, and he found the back of the net on just three occasions, so it would be no surprise to the club attempt to offload all three players this summer.

As they begin their search for attacking reinforcements, the Owls should look no further than Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie, who scored an impressive 12 goals in 40 appearances this season, despite his side suffering relegation to League One.

After netting 13 goals in 45 games last season, it was another strong campaign for Hardie at Championship level, and with the Scot looking likely to remain in the second tier following the Pilgrims' demise, Wednesday must join the race for his signature.

On the basis of his record for Plymouth in the

Championship, it is safe to say that, if Hardie can stay fit, he is almost guaranteed to hit double figures for goals, and he could potentially improve significantly on his tally from this season in a more successful side.

Wednesday have been on the receiving end of Hardie's clinical finishing many times in recent years, with the 28-year-old scoring four times in just nine appearances against the club, and as he is likely to be available this summer for the right price, they should do everything possible to bring him to Hillsborough to solve their goalscoring problems.

Hardie has been linked with ambitious newly-promoted side Wrexham, and should the Red Dragons firm up their interest, it could be tough for the Owls to compete financially, but there is one factor they could look to exploit.

Despite his strong form for Argyle towards the end of the season, Hardie was again overlooked by Scotland manager Steve Clarke as he named his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein on Monday.

Former Plymouth boss Ian Foster claimed last March that Hardie was closing in on a first senior call-up for his country, but over a year on, it has still not materialised, and furthering his international ambitions will surely be at the forefront of the striker's mind when deciding on his next move this summer.

While Wrexham may be more competitive than Wednesday in the Championship next season, there are question marks over how much game time Hardie would receive at the SToK Cae Ras, particularly as the Red Dragons are expected to be one of the biggest spenders outside the Premier League this summer, with a number of high-profile additions likely.

Hardie would have no such problems at Hillsborough, where he would virtually be guaranteed a start every week, so the Owls must attempt to convince him that they can help him progress both at club and international level, and owner Dejphon Chansiri should not have any reservations about spending big on the striker.