Leeds United: Sheffield Wednesday now in ‘pole position’ to sign Ian Poveda on free transfer
Sheffield Wednesday will be in “pole position” to sign Ian Poveda if they remain in the Championship when his contract at Leeds United expires this summer, according to Carlton Palmer.
Speaking to Football League World on Friday (1 March), the pundit said the Colombian international has been “outstanding” since joining the Owls on loan in the January transfer window as he looks to help them stay up this season.
Although he admits that it could depend on which division the South Yorkshire club are in next year, he believes the 24-year-old winger will want to make the permanent move to Hillsborough in the summer despite the fact he could be a “very hot commodity”.
“Sheffield Wednesday and Danny Rohl have made it known of their interest in signing Ian Poveda, who has been outstanding in recent weeks and has seen Sheffield Wednesday give themselves a real lifeline in staying in the Championship,” said Palmer. “They have two critical games coming up, with Rotherham United away and Plymouth Argyle at home.
“They have given themselves a real chance, so Poveda has already become a fan favourite, he’s excelled at Sheffield Wednesday and Danny Rohl is doing a fantastic job and is giving these players loads of confidence. So Sheffield Wednesday would like to sign him, I would assume, but that will depend on which division they are in, so this will be talked about at the end of the season.
“Should Sheffield Wednesday retain their Championship status, then I think they would be in pole position to sign Ian Poveda, who I believe is out of contract at the end of the season. He’s 24, so he’s at the right age and whatever happens he is going to be a free agent, and he is going to be a very hot commodity.
“But if Sheffield Wednesday retain their status, I’m sure, working under Danny Rohl and Chris Powell and the backroom staff there, that he will want to join the club on a permanent deal.”
Ian Poveda likely to leave Leeds United
It looks extremely likely that Poveda will leave Leeds when his contract expires at the end of the season after joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
The winger made just 10 appearances for Daniel Farke’s side in the first half of the campaign, with the majority of those outings coming off the bench.
Despite registering just one assist in his opening five games for the Owls, he has put in some excellent performances, helping them pick up three victories in their battle against relegation.
There is likely to be a fair bit of interest in the Colombian from Championship clubs once his contract expires, but there is a good chance he would like to stay in South Yorkshire if they stay up as he looks to be guarenteed plenty of game time.
It might not effect the Whites too much where he ends up as they will be hoping to be playing in the Premier League next season, but everyone at the club will wish him well wherever he ends up.
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