Sheffield Wednesday facing Champions League transfer competition for Arsenal player | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday have been joined in the race for transfer target Mika Biereth by a Champions League club, according to Belgium-based journalist Tomas Taecke.

Despite being long-time admirers of the 21-year-old Arsenal attacker, the Owls could be set to miss out on their key target again as Belgian Champions Club Brugge are now monitoring him.

The London-born Denmark youth international enjoyed a stellar second half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Austrian side Sturm Graz, and with just one year left on his Arsenal contract, he could be set to begin his search for pastures new this summer.

Wednesday narrowly missed out on the electric attacker when pursuing his temporary signing in January. Danny Rohl will hope to have better luck in the upcoming transfer window but will be faced with familiar competition again.

Biereth helped to fire Sturm Graz to an Austrian League and Cup double. The forward scored nine goals in 22 appearances for the club and may be tempted to return on a permanent deal following his successful loan stint.

However, with multiple interested parties, Arsenal may look to maximise their profit and capitalise on a potential bidding war.

If Wednesday are to launch a successful bid for the forward, they may have to outspend two domestic powerhouses.

Sheffield Wednesday could struggle to fend off European interest in Mika Biereth

The allure of European football and a guaranteed place in the Champions League group stage with Club Brugge could prove difficult for Gunners striker Biereth to turn down.

With the change of the UEFA Champions League format and an increased number of sides involved in Europe’s premier competition, there may be more of an opportunity for the Belgian Champions to progress further into it.

For Biereth, playing in Europe may be an opportunity to showcase his talent to more successful clubs.

By playing for Club Brugge, or Sturm Graz, the attacker would put himself in the shop window and may attract more interest.

For this reason, Sheffield Wednesday will be negotiating his signing on the back foot, knowing that they will likely have to compensate for the lack of top-level football by shelling out a larger financial incentive to join.

Mika Biereth would be a major coup for Sheffield Wednesday

If Sheffield Wednesday could convince the rising star to turn down offers from the continent, his signing would represent a major statement of intent.

While Biereth may prove to be a costly outlay, the forward has no ceiling to his potential and could propel the side into promotion contention.

The upcoming transfer window is set to be season-defining for the Owls, who have gone from strength to strength with Rohl in the dugout.

Wednesday are well-placed to carry over the momentum from their strong end to the last Championship campaign, but the side need to bolster their attacking ranks.

Last season, Rohl’s team were the Championship’s lowest scorers. If the club are to sustain a promotion effort throughout their marathon 2024-25 campaign, they will need to bring in a consistent goalscorer.

Although Beireth may be an ambitious target, if Wednesday can convince the player of their promotion aims, he could make the difference as they target a return to the Premier League for the first time in 24 years.