Reports: Sheffield Wednesday move ahead of Championship rivals in race to sign Connor Wickham

Sheffield Wednesday’s pursuit of a line-leading new forward could be nearing completion as the Owls edge closer to the loan signing of Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham.
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The 26-year-old is understood to be keen on a third loan spell at Hillsborough and would serve as an ideal fit for top scorer Steven Fletcher, who looks set to miss a further six to eight weeks with the knee injury he picked up in the FA Cup win at Brighton.

The Owls have faced stiff competition from the likes of Bristol City and Cardiff in recent weeks but as Wednesday continue to play their cards close to their chest, reports from outlets in those cities suggest Garry Monk is set to get his man.

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The Wednesday boss made no secret of his desire to get a new forward in even before Fletcher’s injury, but admitted his absence accelerated that need.

Dutch forward Alessio Da Cruz signed for the club on loan from Parma on Wednesday but is more of a wide forward. Wickham stands at six foot three and would represent a more like-for-like Fletcher replacement.

Palace boss Roy Hodgson said earlier this month that he would not stand in the way of the forward’s departure should he want to leave the club for whom he has yet to make a Premier League start this season.

But doubts had been cast after the 26-year-old’s impact off the bench in recent weeks. He registered a goal and an assist in cameos against West Ham and Norwich respectively as well as playing a part in their late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

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Earlier this month Monk said in response to links with Wickham: “It’s not just about wanting a player and agreeing things from your side. It has to be agreed from the other side. There’s competition. There’s decisions that need to be made, not just from us. From players that might be involved, from clubs that might be involved.

“So it’s not just as simple as saying you want that player and we’re prepared to give this. That’s why it takes that time.”