Tyrese Campbell features: 5 free agents who Sheffield Wednesday must consider ASAP | OneFootball

Highlights

It is a big summer for Sheffield Wednesday after they secured survival in the Championship.

The Owls looked destined to make an immediate return to League One after a disastrous start to the season under Xisco Munoz, but they achieved safety after a remarkable turnaround under Danny Rohl.

A six-game unbeaten run, including three consecutive victories in their final three games, secured Wednesday's place in the Championship for next season as they finished 20th in the table.

Rohl's summer rebuild has already started, with loanees James Beadle, Kristian Pedersen, Jeff Hendrick, Momo Diaby, Ian Poveda, Ike Ugbo and Ashley Fletcher returning to their parent clubs, while Ciaran Brennan, Reece James, George Byers, Tyreeq Bakinson, Juan Delgado and Lee Gregory have been released at the end of their contracts.

Cameron Dawson, Liam Palmer, Dominic Iorfa, Di'Shon Bernard, Will Vaulks, Barry Bannan and Josh Windass have all been offered new deals, but it remains to be seen whether they will commit their future to the club.

Owls supporters will be desperately hoping that owner Dejphon Chansiri provides Rohl with backing in the transfer market this summer, but given his lack of investment in recent windows, there are big question marks about whether that will be the case.

With that in mind, free agents could be a big part of Wednesday's recruitment this summer, and we looked at five players who are currently without a club that the Owls should target.

Ben Gibson

Defender Ben Gibson has been released by Norwich City after four years at Carrow Road.

Gibson was a regular as the Canaries reached the Championship play-offs this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist in 40 appearances in all competitions.

The 31-year-old came in for criticism from Norwich supporters during the early part of the season after some unconvincing performances, but after returning from injury in December, he became a crucial part of his side's promotion push, with former head coach David Wagner praising him in March for his improvement.

Gibson's time with the Canaries was mixed, but he is an incredibly solid and reliable defender at Championship level, and if he can regain the form that saw Burnley pay £15 million for him in August 2018, he would be an excellent addition for any second tier side.

Wednesday are keen to keep hold of Iorfa and Bernard this summer, but the latter in particular is likely to attract interest from elsewhere, meaning reinforcements at centre-back may be needed, and there would be few better options than Gibson.

Sam McCallum

Gibson should not be the only former Norwich player on Wednesday's radar, and they could also consider making a move for his fellow defender Sam McCallum.

McCallum scored one goal and registered one assist in 34 games in all competitions for the Canaries this season, but he will not be offered a new deal, and he departs after four-and-a-half years at Carrow Road.

Wednesday are without a left-back following the departures of Pedersen and James, and while centre-back Akin Famewo and winger Marvin Johnson can play there, they are both more effective in their natural positions, so it is an area that Rohl will likely look to strengthen.

McCallum will have no shortage of suitors this summer, and Stoke City are said to be keen, so the Owls may need to move quickly if they are to land the 23-year-old's signature.

Herbie Kane

Four central midfielders have departed Hillsborough this summer, with Hendrick and Diaby returning to their parent clubs, and Byers and Bakinson being released.

Vaulks and Bannan have both been offered new deals, and it seems likely that the pair will commit their future to the club, but Wednesday will still need to bring in reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Herbie Kane is available after leaving Barnsley at the end of his contract following four years at Oakwell.

Kane has established a reputation as one of the best midfielders in League One in recent years, and he scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 47 appearances this season as the Tykes reached the play-offs.

Wednesday will be no stranger to Kane's ability having faced him three times in the third tier last season, and he would bring goals and creativity to their midfield, as well as being a younger option to compliment the more experienced duo of Vaulks and Bannan.

Newly-promoted Championship side Derby County are said to be interested in Kane, and the Rams are unlikely to be the only side eyeing a move for the 25-year-old, but the Owls should certainly join the race.

Andreas Weimann

A lack of goals was a big problem for Wednesday throughout the season, so attacking reinforcements are likely to be Rohl's main priority this summer.

Forward Andreas Weimann spent the second half of the season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, and he has been released by parent club Bristol City at the end of his contract.

It was not the most productive campaign for Weimann as he scored just three goals and registered three assists in 34 appearances combined across his spells with Robins and the Baggies, but there is no doubt he still has a lot to offer at Championship level.

In the 2021-22 season, Weimann scored an impressive 22 goals and provided 10 assists in 47 games for Bristol City, underlining just how dangerous he can be in the second tier, and the fact he was signed by promotion-chasing West Brom in January shows that he is still highly thought of.

The 32-year-old may not be a regular starter if he makes the move to Hillsborough, but he could be a useful option to have in the squad, and his ability to play on either wing, as a number 10 or as a central striker would make him a big asset for the Owls.

Tyrese Campbell

Forward Tyrese Campbell is one of the most attractive free agents on the market following his departure from Stoke City.

Campbell has left the bet365 Stadium after eight years with the Potters, during which time he scored 36 goals and provided 21 assists in 164 appearances.

The 24-year-old struggled with injury this season, and he scored just four goals and registered two assists in 24 games in all competitions, but he provided a timely reminder of his ability as he netted twice in the final two games of the campaign.

There is no doubt that Campbell is a player with huge potential, underlined by the fact he was linked with Premier League side Everton last summer, and as he is still young, there is plenty of room for him to improve over the coming years.

A number of players have developed significantly under Rohl's guidance during his time at Wednesday, so the prospect of the German working with Campbell is exciting, and he could prove to be a shrewd addition for the Owls on a free transfer, although they would likely face competition from other clubs.