Derby County and Oxford United eye Sheffield Wednesday transfer swoop | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are fielding interest from multiple EFL clubs for one of their forward options

Highlights

Sheffield Wednesday’s Marvin Johnson is attracting interest from the likes of Oxford United and Derby County ahead of the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

According to The Star, the U’s are among a number of EFL sides eyeing a move for the 33-year-old, with Darren Witcoop naming Derby as a potential candidate.

The forward has been with the Owls since 2021, making the switch to Hillsborough from Middlesbrough following the expiration of his contract.

Johnson has gone on to make 110 league appearances for the Yorkshire outfit, the most recent of which came last weekend in the team’s 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle (all stats from Fbref).

He came off the bench in the closing stages of the game, as Danny Rohl’s side clinched a winning start to the new season.

Marvin Johnson transfer latest

A number of clubs are understood to be keeping tabs on the situation surrounding Johnson’s future with Sheffield Wednesday.

Oxford United are reportedly in the mix, and have made contact with the Owls over a possible move, with Des Buckingham looking to build a team capable of competing in the Championship.

Derby are also monitoring the situation, with both clubs having come up from League One for the new campaign.

Johnson is very experienced at a Championship level, with the player competing in the second division for his seventh season this year.

It remains unclear whether Sheffield Wednesday would sanction the winger’s exit this summer, with Danny Rohl keen to keep a deep squad for the term ahead.

The German coach will have his sights set on improving on the club’s 20th place finish in the table last year.

The Owls have had a busy transfer window, bringing in several new fresh faces to the squad in a bid to increase their competitiveness.

A 4-0 win over Plymouth last weekend was a statement victory, showing their intent to compete at a higher level over the coming months, so they may look to hold onto Johnson as a result.

Marvin Johnson’s importance to Sheffield Wednesday

Johnson joined Sheffield Wednesday following their relegation to League One, and played a major role in their time in the third division.

He made 80 appearances across two campaigns in League One, contributing five goals and 14 assists.

The player’s game time was reduced in the Championship last year, but he still competed in 29 of their 46 fixtures, including 25 starts.

Sheffield Wednesday have until 30 August to iron out Johnson’s future before the transfer window closes for the remainder of the calendar year.

Marvin Johnson could still be a valuable member of Sheffield Wednesday’s squad

This will be an interesting transfer story to watch play out in the final weeks of the window, because Johnson could still be of use to Sheffield Wednesday this season.

However, if Oxford or Derby can guarantee him a more consistent level of game time, then perhaps cashing in on him now would be the smarter move.

He was on the bench for the win over Plymouth, indicating he won’t be a regular starter for Rohl’s side.

If they can get a good fee for him, then it could be wise to sell the 33-year-old, but it remains to be seen what Oxford United or Derby could be willing to pay to sign him.