Sheffield Wednesday must forget Jamie Vardy dream & raid Huddersfield Town | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday have eyed an ideal Jamie Vardy alternative amid the League One club's search for a new striker

Sheffield Wednesday have a big call to make as they look to strengthen their forward line, amid their 'interest' in Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy.

Vardy played for Wednesday's academy, but never made a senior appearance for the Owls, instead embarking on a unique career which saw him rise from non-league to Premier League stardom.

The 39-year-old spent last season in Serie A with Cremonese, but his return of seven goals and two assists wasn't enough to keep them in the Italian top flight.

Meanwhile, Wednesday are vying to strengthen their forward line as they seek an immediate promotion from League One following last term's relegation from the Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday must prioritise transfer for Huddersfield ace rather than pursuing Jamie Vardy deal

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Vardy scored nine goals and registered four assists in his last Premier League season with Leicester, suggesting that he could still be prolific in League One.

Furthermore, in his most recent Championship campaign for the Foxes, the 2023/24 term, the former England striker scored 18 goals in 35 second-tier appearances.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers have both eyed Huddersfield Town's Joe Taylor, who joined Wigan Athletic on loan in January.

Taylor notched an impressive return of 11 goals in 21 League One appearances for Wigan, which was largely responsible for the fact that Gary Caldwell's men avoided relegation to League Two.

The 23-year-old, who formerly played for Luton Town, has previously enjoyed fruitful loan stints with Colchester United and Lincoln City, but he has fallen out of favour at Huddersfield.

Wednesday must surely favour a move for Taylor over signing Vardy. He has the potential to further develop and resale value, which are assets that Vardy doesn't boast as he reaches the end of his career. Vardy has, seemingly, ruled out a return to Hillsborough for now, only heightening the belief that the Owls should be putting their effort into bringing Taylor to the club.

Taylor has already proven that he can be clinical in League One with both Lincoln and Wigan, while he would be surrounded by better teammates if he completes a move to the Owls.

Barry Bannan is closing in on a Wednesday return, and signing the Huddersfield striker as well as reacquiring the Owls legend can only further boost the positive feeling surrounding Hillsborough Stadium following the takeover led by David Storch.

The South Yorkshire club endured a painful campaign last term, as they spent most of the season in administration, and were relegated in February, having been deducted 18 points.

However, things are looking up again in S6, and Taylor should give Henrik Pedersen's men the clinical edge they need to seal an immediate Championship return.

Joe Taylor should prefer Sheffield Wednesday move over Blackburn Rovers switch

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Taylor excelled in League One with Wigan, despite playing for an otherwise poor side, suggesting he has what it takes to perform in the Championship.

Unlike Wednesday, fellow interested party Blackburn can offer the former Wales Under-21 international second-tier football, but he should snub a move to Lancashire in favour of moving from West to South Yorkshire.

As previously mentioned, the Owls have established a positive trajectory under Storch, whereas Rovers have stagnated under the Venky's, and could find themselves in another Championship relegation battle next season.