Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a summer transfer for Orlando City striker

Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a summer transfer for Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire
Sheffield Wednesday could reportedly make a move for Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire in the summer transfer window – but after drawing comparisons to current star Ike Ugbo, the American striker’s potential arrival has been questioned.

McGuire was on the cusp of a move to Blackburn Rovers in the January window, but the move fell through for a number of reasons, meaning he had to cross back over the Atlantic Sea to his native United States on a dramatic deadline day. He’s since been credited with a move to Wednesday, but with Ugbo hitting a decent run of form, our Owls fan pundit has given his thoughts on a potential deal.

Duncan McGuire transfer latest

McGuire suffered a whirlwind January transfer window in terms of trying to secure a move to England. Based in Cancun, Mexico towards the end of the window, Wednesday reportedly agreed a loan move for the US international, and he flew over for talks – but that broke down, with Blackburn stealing in for his services.
The move to Lancashire was in the balance for a long time, but it finally seemed to have come to a head on Deadline Day, with Rovers even going as far as doing the media for McGuire’s signing, including a video and unveiling ready for an announcement.

But disaster struck when the club forgot to submit the signing at the 11th hour, and despite an appeal to the EFL, that was rejected – leaving the Lancashire club short in the attacking department.

The tide has shifted, and Wednesday are prepared to take a fresh approach in the summer months following their unsuccessful Ewood move, according to The Sun, but only if they remain in the second division.
Sheffield Wednesday’s survival is essential for the transfer industry.

Speaking to Football League World, fan pundit Callum Maxted stated that he would not sign McGuire if Wednesday were down, but he pushed Wednesday to stay up so that they could have the best players in the summer.

Maxted stated, “I don’t believe he’s as talented as Ugbo yet, but I haven’t seen him play. To be honest, I don’t believe he’d be such a good alternative. If Rohl is still here and we are still in the Championship, I would take both of them.

“You’d have one proven option and one that could be nurtured into a Championship footballer under a young coach who is one of the finest in the world. So far, he’s demonstrated that he can improve anyone, and that’s a critical aspect in this season to determine if we can stay in this league and move forward.

“That’s why it’s so important to stay in the league, so we have the option of players form the start of the season rather than halfway through.”

Wednesday are currently in the Championship’s bottom three, with 26 points from 32 games after losing 2-0 to Leicester City last night. They are five points behind Huddersfield Town, who have a game in hand.

How do Duncan McGuire and Ike Ugbo compare
It’s difficult to compare the two because McGuire has never played in England, but Ugbo’s record in the Championship isn’t very impressive.

The Chelsea academy graduate spent a year on loan in the second division with Barnsley in 2017-18, scoring just one goal in 16, while a spell at Cardiff last season yielded only four goals in 20 as the Bluebirds remained in the league at the conclusion of the season.

McGuire, on the other hand, has had a blistering start to his career across the pond, scoring 13 goals in his debut season for Orlando. However, the MLS is a different kettle of fish, and with the Championship being much more physical than the United States’ top flight, it’s always difficult to predict how a potential signing will fare.

But McGuire would be an intriguing signing, and if he can strike the ground running at Hillsborough, it may be a stroke of brilliance.