Sheffield Wednesday striker transfer news could see Wrexham AFC secure deal | OneFootball

Could Michael Smith finally leave to join Wrexham?

Michael Smith's three seasons at Sheffield Wednesday could come to an end this January.

The striker was picked up on a free by the Owls following his departure from Rotherham United and hasn't looked back since.

A key part of their promotion squad back in 2022-23, the tall striker netted 20 goals that season, including the opener in their famous play-off win over Peterborough United.

In 2023-24, he struggled alongside the team's deficiencies, but he has returned to his best this season, with nine-goal contributions so far.

Despite this, it appears that the Owls could let him depart this window with Wrexham retaining their long-standing interest in the 33-year-old.

Whether this comes to fruition in the final weeks of the window remains unclear, but with Nixon reporting that a new striker is a priority, could the Red Dragons finally secure their long-term target?

Danny Rohl's and Chansiri's buried hatchet could see Smith leave

This month has been embroiled with controversy for Wednesday, as Danny Rohl and Dejphon Chansiri had been in arguments over the club's transfer plans and the release clause included in the German's contract.

However, relief arrived on Tuesday for Owls supporters as Nixon revealed that the pair had been in talks to resolve the issue.

Now on the hunt for signings, the same report believes that a priority has been placed on searching for a new man to lead the frontline.

While Smith has been in suitable form alongside Josh Windass, the same can't be said of Rohl's other options. Jamal Lowe and Ike Ugbo have found the back of the net just three times in league football, with the latter still yet to score after bagging seven in 19 games last term for the Yorkshire-based outfit.

This will likely prompt the Owls to seek out a proven goalscorer, and while the January market may come at a considerable expense, action will be crucial if they are to strengthen their push for a top-six finish.

While many would see this as an opportunity for Ugbo to depart, it seems more likely that Smith will leave. Although he has been a faithful servant, at 33 it is difficult to see his contributions extending in the second tier for much longer.

Wrexham can take advantage of Sheffield Wednesday striker search

These latest developments at Hillsborough provide Wrexham with a window of opportunity, and they could make Smith their coveted 'Championship striker' signing.

As detailed by the Sheffield Star, the Red Dragons are keen on the attacker and believe he could be the answer to their shortcomings.

Despite having a wealth of options available to him, no front man has scored more than six for Parkinson, with Paul Mullin's struggles prominently highlighted.

This is a stark contrast to Smith, who has a brilliant record at League One level, finding the back of the net 75 times across 275 games.

If Wrexham were to secure a contribution of that type, then they would have a large boost to their promotion hopes as they begin their chase of Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City in the second half of the season.

The one concern is that waiting for Smith carries risks, as with just over a week remaining in the window, it’s plausible that Wednesday may not secure a new forward in time.