Sheffield Wednesday: Owls ponder Bamford move

The Star understands a new attacker is at the top of the Owls’ New Year shopping list, with the transfer window due to reopen at midnight on Saturday.

And Wednesday are thought to be big admirers of England Under-21 international Bamford, who cut short his season-long loan deal at Crystal Palace and returned to Stamford Bridge last Monday.

Bamford, who impressed at Middlesbrough last season, claiming 19 goals to scoop the Championship Player of the Year award, grew increasingly frustrated at his lack of action under Alan Pardew. He failed to make a single Premier League start this campaign.

He made six league appearances as a substitute, with his only two starts for Palace coming in the Capital One Cup.

“I just got a bit frustrated at not getting a chance,” said Bamford. “I’m just disappointed I couldn’t do more for the team.”

The 22-year-old issued an apology yesterday after describing his temporary Palace stay as “terrible”.

Wednesday and Boro are likely to be among a string of clubs monitoring Bamford’s situation.

Managerless Swansea City have also been linked with Bamford and the player has stated he would prefer to remain in the top-flight.

Bamford, who scored a spectacular winner against the Owls at Hillsborough while on loan Derby County in February 2014, said: “I think I have got to be open to all options.

“Ideally I want to stay in the Premier League and I think there are a few options to stay in the Premier League so now it is about assessing which is best and we will go from there.”