Sheffield Wednesday must target second Ipswich Town player after Harry Clarke | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are interested in Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke, but striker Ali Al-Hamadi should also be on their radar.

It has been an excellent campaign for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship so far, but they are facing a crucial January transfer window that could potentially define their season.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Wednesday have made significant progress under manager Danny Rohl this campaign, and they have emerged as surprise play-off contenders in recent months.

The Owls currently sit 10th in the table, just three points from the top six, and they are back in action on Sunday when they make the tough trip to face league leaders Leeds United at Elland Road.

Given Wednesday's strong league position, you could be forgiven for thinking that all at Hillsborough was positive right now, but Rohl has hinted at a breakdown in communication between himself and owner Dejphon Chansiri over transfers, and the club are yet to bring in a single new signing this month.

However, it does at least seem that the Owls are starting to identify potential transfer targets, and one player they have been linked with is Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke.

Sheffield Wednesday plotting move for Ipswich Town's Harry Clarke

Wednesday have conceded 40 league goals already this season, with only Oxford United, Cardiff City, Portsmouth, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle conceding more, so it is easy to see why Rohl is keen to strengthen his defence in January, and the need for reinforcements became even greater after Dominic Iorfa was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a muscular injury.

The Owls had made an enquiry to Southampton about a possible loan deal for Ronnie Edwards, but they have been forced to turn their attentions elsewhere after he joined Queens Park Rangers, and according to The Star, Clarke is one name under consideration.

Clarke made the move to Ipswich from Arsenal in January 2023 for a reported fee of £1 million, and he played a crucial role for Kieran McKenna's side over the past two seasons as they earned back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

However, Clarke has fallen out of favour in the top flight, making just seven appearances so far this season, and he could be allowed to depart Portman Road on loan in the coming weeks.

Clarke has primarily featured as a right-back for the Tractor Boys, but he would also be capable of playing as a right-sided centre-back in a back three, making him potentially the perfect replacement for Iorfa during his injury absence.

As a player who achieved promotion from the Championship last season, Clarke would be an excellent signing for Wednesday if they are able to get a deal over the line, but he should not be the only Ipswich player on their radar.

Sheffield Wednesday should target Ali Al-Hamadi deal this month

With Ike Ugbo and Jamal Lowe both struggling for form, bolstering the forward line is also likely to be a priority for Rohl this month.

Despite being out of favour at the start of the season, Michael Smith has been Wednesday's most productive striker this campaign, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 28 games, but he could be set to depart before the end of the window as Wrexham are expected to make an approach for the 33-year-old.

Smith's exit would leave the Owls incredibly light in the striker department, but Ipswich's Ali Al-Hamadi could be the answer to their problems.

After a prolific spell with AFC Wimbledon in League Two, Al-Hamadi joined the Tractor Boys in January, and while he was not a regular starter, he scored four goals and provided one assist in 14 appearances in the second half of last season to help Kieran McKenna's side secure their Premier League return.

Ali-Hamadi has continued to struggle for minutes in the top flight this season, and although he has featured as a substitute in each of Ipswich's last seven league games, his future at Portman Road is looking increasingly uncertain.

The 22-year-old was handed a rare start in the 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup on Sunday, but he missed a penalty in the second half of the game as he fired well wide, and that moment alone could potentially convince McKenna to allow him to depart on loan to discover some confidence.

It may not have worked out for Al-Hamadi in Suffolk, but he showed glimpses of his ability at Championship level last season, and Wednesday will be all too aware of what he is capable of after he scored twice against them in their 6-0 defeat against the Tractor Boys in March.

If Al-Hamadi is given the green light for a loan move, he will have no shortage of second tier interest, and Derby County are said to be "huge admirers" of the Iraq international, but with the Owls currently in play-off contention, a move to Hillsborough would surely be a more attractive proposition.

Given Chansiri's reluctance to spend, Wednesday are likely to be limited to the loan market in their search for a striker this month, and there are few better temporary options out there than Al-Hamadi.