Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a move for veteran striker Jamie Vardy as a free agent. The Championship club are interested alongside Wrexham and Brazilian side São Paulo.
Vardy, now 39, is available after his contract with Italian club Cremonese expired. He scored seven goals for them last season, though they were relegated from Serie A. The transfer window closed at 11pm on Tuesday without any of the rumoured deals for the former England international being completed.
Sheffield Wednesday's need for attacking reinforcement is clear. The team scored just 25 goals in 42 Championship games, conceding 82 for a goal difference of minus 57. Adding a proven goalscorer like Vardy, even at this stage of his career, could provide vital experience and a cutting edge.
Vardy's pace and predatory instincts in the box are well-documented from his Premier League title-winning years with Leicester City. While he is not a long-term solution, he could offer short-term quality and leadership in a young attacking unit.
The wider transfer market saw a dramatic series of events on deadline day. Everton attempted a late deal for USA international Folarin Balogun from Monaco, with the player even undergoing a medical. After renegotiating and reaching an agreement, Balogun ultimately decided against the move. This had a significant knock-on effect. Monaco had been set to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea for a fee of €55 million (£47.1m), with the player having a medical. Because the Balogun deal fell through, Monaco could not afford to lose Camara and pulled out of the Chelsea agreement.
Chelsea had other irons in the fire, enquiring about Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but Arsenal rejected any move. The London club also batted off loan interest from Liverpool for defender Malo Gusto, insisting on a permanent transfer if he were to leave. Liverpool, meanwhile, blocked a potential exit for forward Cody Gakpo after he held talks with club bosses.
For Sheffield Wednesday, missing out on Vardy or any other target means they must now look within their existing group or to the free agent market. The club's recruitment team will be working to identify value where others have not.
The financial landscape of the Championship makes free transfers and loans essential for many clubs. Sheffield Wednesday's interest in Vardy signals an ambition to add a marquee name, but the practicalities of wage demands and fitness at 39 are considerable factors.
Manchester City completed the signing of Iliman Ndiaye. Manchester United are planning a defensive restructure for next summer, with the performances of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez under scrutiny this season. United may also lose young striker Chido Obi, who wants a loan move to a club in the Netherlands or Denmark, with Feyenoord showing interest.
Liverpool made contact with Monaco about a potential move for Lamine Camara in 2027, planning ahead after the collapsed deadline-day deal. A source close to the negotiations, who asked not to be named, reflected on the chaotic evening by saying, "Should have, would have, could have." Sheffield Wednesday begin their new Championship season looking to improve on a campaign where they managed only a single victory.
