Ike Ugbo drops hints he's leaving Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Ike Ugbo's future at Sheffield Wednesday is the subject of speculation going into the summer transfer window

Sheffield Wednesday are staring down the barrel of a very busy summer ahead of their return to League One, now under fresh ownership following a historically-dismal Championship season.

The Owls endured a horrendous campaign both on and off the pitch as the team finished bottom of the Championship with zero points.

Henrik Pedersen’s side were docked a combined total of 18 points by the EFL due to going into administration, as well as breaching the financial rules under unpopular ex-owner Dejphon Chansiri - with multiple missed salary payments to playing and non-playing staff.

But the Yorkshire outfit are hoping for better things under their new owners Arise Capital, who are led by David Storch, who completed their takeover at the start of May.

Pedersen will now be hoping to oversee a rebuild of the first team squad ahead of next season, with their sights set on returning to a competitive level.

But there could yet still be some exits at Hillsborough as well, making it a very busy time for the Yorkshire outfit.

Ike Ugbo offers Sheffield Wednesday future hint

Speculation is mounting on the future of Ike Ugbo following the end of the Championship season.

That's because the forward has removed all mentions of Sheffield Wednesday from his Instagram page, spelling fresh doubt over his prospects in the Steel City.

This could be a further indication that his future lies away from Hillsborough, with the transfer window set to open on 15 June.

The 27-year-old made 21 appearances in the league last season, including just six starts, and he failed to find the back of the net on a single occasion.

He initially made the move to Sheffield Wednesday on loan from French side Troyes in 2024 before making the switch permanent later that year following a gaol-laden loan stint.

The Canadian international has played a total of 73 times in the league for the Yorkshire outfit, scoring a total of seven goals.

However, his last goal came during his loan spell, finding the back of the net in a 3-0 win against West Brom on 27 April 2024.

Ugbo has struggled for form since becoming a permanent member of the Owls’ first team squad.

The 27-year-old was linked with a loan away from Hillsborough in the January window, with clubs from Belgium, Canada and United States all interested in a deal, but nothing ultimately came to fruition.

Ugbo still has two years remaining on his current contract, but it remains to be seen whether Sheffield Wednesday can reach an agreement for his exit this summer.

Ike Ugbo departure would be for the best for Sheffield Wednesday

Ugbo hasn’t kicked on since his permanent move to the club, having initially impressed while on loan.

Moving on the forward could be a smart bit of business to start the summer rebuild, especially if they can manage to get a fee for his permanent exit.

Otherwise, a loan move away would be a perfectly solid option, as it offers him the chance to rediscover his form in new surroundings, which could help raise his value for a permanent exit down the line.

But given how he fell further down the pecking order last year, and continued to struggle for form, it would make sense for all parties for him to move on in some capacity this summer.