Middlesbrough presently leads Sheffield Wednesday in the race to sign a 25-year-old midfielder.

Sheffield Wednesday has entered the hunt to recruit Elfsborg midfielder Michael Baidoo.

Sheffield Wednesday have added Michael Baidoo, 25, to their summer transfer target list, although they are not alone in their pursuit of the Ghanaian midfielder. Hull City, Luton Town, and Middlesbrough are also interested in Baidoo following his strong start to the 2024 Allsvenskan season.

Baidoo has four goals and three assists in 12 league games this season with Elfsborg, totaling 18 goals and 12 assists in 69 appearances for the Swedish club.

Danny Rohl is in severe need of central midfielders this summer, and a goal-scoring one like Baidoo would be a great coup for the Owls, who scored 44 goals in 46 Championship games last season.

Baidoo is currently under contract at Elfsborg until 2025 and is expected to cost a buying team up to £3.4 million this summer.

Who is Michael Baidoo? The versatile midfield 'leader' wanted by Sheffield  Wednesday - Sheffield Wednesday News
Michael Baidoo’s Career So Far
Baidoo was born in Accra, Ghana, and went to Europe in 2017 to play for Danish club FC Midtjylland, where he made only one league appearance in two seasons. He then traveled to Norway with Jerv, with whom he spent time on loan during his Midtjylland stay, and later with Sandnes before joining Elfsborg in Sweden.

Michael Baidoo Delighted to Extend Contract with Elfsborg -  thenerveafrica.com
What they say about Michael Baidoo?
Former Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin on Michael Baidoo in February 2024: “Michael has made tremendous progress in his development since joining us, and his contributions in a variety of midfield situations have proven vital. “His growth as a leader, ability to energize his teammates, and willingness to take on responsibilities on the pitch have been particularly noteworthy.”

Villarreal, Club Brugge join race to sign Ghanaian midfielder Michael Baidoo  | SportsWorldGhana.com

Michael Baidoo player profile

Michael Baidoo highlights

 

Michael Baidoo stats for 2024

Baidoo has two goals from outside the box and two from inside the box this season, averaging one every 258 minutes.

He has a shot conversion percentage of 29% (Sofascore), an average of 46.3 touches per game, 27.9 accurate passes per game, and 1.9 critical passes per game; he averages 17.5 passes within the opponent half with an 83% pass completion rate.

Baidoo also averages 4.1 ball recoveries per game, 1.1 tackles, and 0.7 interceptions.

Michael Baidoo joins Sheffield Wednesday analysis
Baidoo’s highlights are entertaining to watch; he’s a box-to-box midfielder with a great eye for goal and an eye for a pass.

He appears to be most efficient in two situations: deep on the Elfsborg counter-attack, and with the ball at his feet on the edge of the opponent penalty area.

But, in addition to scoring goals, his statistics suggest that he can win possession in the middle of the pitch, which, with Will Vaulks’ future unknown, makes Baidoo an even better fit for Sheffield Wednesday.

At 25 years old, he would also bring the squad’s average age down marginally. But if he does come in, Rohl will undoubtedly want him to play further up the pitch and score goals, as Sheffield Wednesday are desperate for scorers.

The main sticking point is the price. According to reports, Dejphon Chansiri will spend this summer, but only if the player and fee are appropriate.

Expect the Owls to focus mostly on free transfers, with loan deals coming later in the summer. When most of their squad gaps are filled, the Owls may consider spending some money.

Baidoo may have been snatched up by that date, therefore Sheffield Wednesday’s interest could be extremely temporary.

In Baidoo.

This appears to be an ambitious and implausible move at this time, given the considerable interest. But it’s an exciting connect regardless.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*