Ike Ugbo decision could enhance Sheffield Wednesday's transfer chances: View | OneFootball

Ike Ugbo opted against playing at the 2024 Copa America, instead taking a rest ahead of the new season.

Sheffield Wednesday's remarkable turn of form in the second half of last season can be put down to several elements, but the January loan signing of Iké Ugbo was crucial in it.

The striker was superb and displayed why he was held in such high regard at Chelsea for a number of years before leaving eventually in 2021.

This summer he will return to recently relegated Troyes in France, who will be facing a season in the third tier just two years after being in Ligue 1.

This standard of football will surely see Ugbo depart the club in search of a team that can offer him a suitable level. Wednesday are, of course, interested in bringing him back to Hillsborough and will be thankful for the striker's decision to turn down the opportunity to play for Canada at this year's Copa América.

Initially, many were surprised by Ugbo's omission from the Canada squad, having become a regular in the side since his debut in 2022. But, former Leeds and current Canada manager Jesse Marsch has now explained why he was left out in an interview with journalist, Ben Steiner.

"He (Ugbo) was invited and decided, for personal reasons, to take a break," Marsch said.

"He just felt it was right for him. We had a long conversation. I respect his decision."

Whilst many will be surprised at the striker's decision, it can be argued that he may have done this in search of a move away from Troyes.

Securing a deal for himself early on in this window will provide him with suitable time to prepare for the new season.

For Wednesday, this will come as a real boost to their hopes of signing Ugbo.

Had he put his name on the international stage at the Copa América, a host of different, more affluent clubs may have begun to show interest in securing his services. In addition to interest, Troyes may have demanded a much larger fee for the former Cobham graduate.

The Owls will be keen to secure a deal as soon as possible then and will hope that previous faith placed in him by Röhl can play a key factor in securing personal terms.

Danny Röhl and Sheffield Wednesday need to land Ike Ugbo

The first 23 games of last season saw Wednesday pick up a minimal 16 points with just four wins in that time. Relegation seemed like a certainty, but a host of loan additions and the emergence of head coach Danny Röhl helped them stay up as they earned 37 points from their final 23 fixtures.

Whilst goals had been a problem all season, Ugbo contributed heavily to the Owls and earned himself many plaudits in his five months at the club.

In his 19 Championship fixtures for Wednesday, he contributed with seven goals and one assist, taking his tally to 11 for the season after scoring four for Cardiff in the first half of the campaign.

If signed, you feel that the striker would only build on his previous success at that level and continued development under the watchful eye of the German would see the Canadian become one of the best finishers in the division.

This could be a key factor in what Wednesday fans will hope to be a much improved 2024-25, although if they do not get Ugbo, there are seemingly other options that could be on the radar, such as ex-Cardiff striker and current Las Palmas man Sory Kaba.