Sheffield Wednesday tipped to beat Birmingham City in Leeds United transfer race | OneFootball

Ian Poveda’s future lies away from Leeds United at the end of the season - with Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City reportedly keen on the winger.

The 24-year-old is currently out of contract at the end of the campaign, with no extension seemingly forthcoming.

The player is currently out on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, who are one of two clubs linked with signing Poveda ahead of his likely exit from Elland Road.

Poveda joined the Owls during the January window and has become an important part of Danny Rohl’s first team plans.

However, according to Teamtalk, Birmingham City are also interested in signing the forward this summer if he becomes a free agent.

Carlton Palmer believes that a move to Sheffield Wednesday is the likelier outcome for Poveda in this transfer tussle.

However, he has outlined what the Yorkshire outfit must do to ensure they capture the Leeds player on a permanent basis.

“It’s been reported that Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City are to fight for the signature of Ian Poveda this summer,” Palmer told Football League World.

“His contract is set to expire and Leeds United have made it clear that they will not be renewing his contract.

“Sheffield Wednesday have been in sensational form in the last six or seven games, only losing to Leeds United in recent weeks, who are pushing for automatic promotion.

“It’s an unbelievable turnaround by Danny Rohl and his team to give themselves a chance of staying in the Championship.

“I think that will play an integral part as to where Ian finally signs his contract.

“Obviously he won’t want to play in League One, and he’ll also want some game time.

“He’s done very, very well at Sheffield Wednesday, and the fans have taken to him.

“So should Sheffield Wednesday stay in the Championship, I think they’d have more of a chance of signing him than Birmingham because he lives in the Leeds area, so he won’t have to move house if he signs for Sheffield Wednesday.

“And Danny Rohl has proven, as long as they can keep hold of him and stay in the division, what a top manager he is, and he’s gotten the best out of Poveda.

“He’s had a disappointing time at Leeds United and so it has rekindled his form at Sheffield Wednesday.

“So I think Sheffield Wednesday would have the advantage of signing him, but also if Tony Mowbray, god-willing, recovers from his illness, [he] is a very good coach and likes to work with young players.

“But, as I say, I think the likelihood if he signs for either one of these two teams it will probably be for Sheffield Wednesday, as long as they’re in the Championship next season.”

Poveda has made seven appearances for Rohl’s side since making the switch to the club in January.

The Owls will be aiming to avoid relegation straight back to League One, with the team currently occupying a bottom three position in the Championship (all stats from Fbref).

The move has been quite beneficial for his career, having struggled to make an impact at Leeds during his time at Elland Road.

Poveda was previously out on loan with Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool in previous seasons, but he has otherwise been unable to earn very many first team opportunities since signing for Leeds in 2020.

Sheffield Wednesday stay would make sense for Poveda

Poveda’s time at Leeds didn’t quite work out, but he has found a good new home in Sheffield Wednesday.

If Rohl stays and the club remains in the Championship, then a permanent move to Hillsborough seems like a no-brainer.

Birmingham themselves are also embroiled in a relegation battle, so aren’t massively better off than Wednesday.

Palmer raises a great point about remaining in Yorkshire, where he is settled, but he’s also already integrated himself into Rohl’s first team squad, which also makes remaining with the club very appealing.