Sheffield Wednesday told what transfers they need instead of Bolton's John McAtee | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday have been urged to prioritise a move for an out and out striker ahead of John McAtee.

Sheffield Wednesday have been urged to prioritise signings in other key positions in the remainder of the summer transfer window, amid links to Bolton Wanderers attacker John McAtee.

Under the management of Henrik Pedersen, Sheffield Wednesday are expected to challenge for League One promotion this season, despite the fact that The Owls are completely rebuilding themselves.

Having dealt with administration and finished on zero points in the Championship last year, Sheffield Wednesday have gone about their business in quite a smart and encouraging way.

They have begun their season in impressive style with a 1-0 defeat of Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the EFL Cup at Hillsborough before being beaten what is expected to be another promotion challenger, Leyton Orient, at Brisbane Road on the opening weekend of the league campaign.

Despite there still being room for more work to be done on their squad, Sheffield Wednesday have been urged to focus on the striking position ahead of a move for McAtee.

Sheffield Wednesday urged to prioritise other positions before John McAtee

Having started in the attacking midfield role for Bolton on the opening day of the Championship season as they defeated Lancashire rivals Preston North End by two goals to one, John McAtee has now been linked with Cardiff City, Lincoln City, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.

The Walkden-born attacker has experienced a mixed time of it since moving to the Toughsheet Community Stadium in the summer of 2024 and, while acknowledging the move may make sense, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday Fan Pundit Patrick McKenna believes the striking position should be prioritised ahead of bring in another attacking midfielder.

Patrick says: “Obviously we are still building a squad and there are still a few signings to get in and an attacking midfielder, certainly one more for that position for a bit more depth and, with our attacking options, I think we are going to have to be quiet fluid this season.

“Ideally, ahead of an attacking midfielder, I would be looking at getting in goalscorers, a more traditional ‘number nine’ who can hold it up because our attacking midfielder role, (Callum) Slattery, (Harry) Gray and (Louie) Barry have all impressed so far.

“So I’m not quite sure it is one that we will massively pursue. I’m not sure if Bolton will want to let him go.

“It is probably not the position that needs strengthening most right now but for that attacking strength, I can certainly see the sense in it.”

John McAtee may not move the needle for Sheffield Wednesday

Having gone through what they have as a club, Sheffield Wednesday’s summer, while remaining ambitious, is more about ensuring that they can fill out their squad to compete over the course of the long EFL season.

John McAtee, who was on the periphery of things for the most part in Bolton’s play-off winning campaign last season, would provide that much-needed depth for Wednesday and his versatility, able to play in the ‘number ten’ or even as an out and out striker, could also prove useful.

However, it would be reasonable to suggest that McAtee is currently benefitting from Bolton waiting to recruit in that position and Ruben Rodrigues being injured, rather than his own quality forcing his way into being a Championship starter right now.

At League One level, McAtee has shown for both Bolton and previously at Barnsley, that he can contribute but his inconsistency should mark him out as a ‘nice to have’ signing, rather than a ‘must have’.

Wednesday have already signed very well in attack this summer, including McAtee’s Bolton teammate from last season, Mason Burstow, on loan from Hull City, alongside Louie Barry and Harry Gray.

McAtee wouldn’t necessarily be on upgrade on any of the positions in Henrik Pedersen’s current attack but he would be a signing that brings about welcome depth and further EFL and promotion-winning enthusiasm and experience.