Sheffield Wednesday's League One rivals 'reject' latest striker bid as Blackpool 'in talks' to sign defender
All the very latest League One transfer rumours as the countdown to the start of the 2026/27 campaign continues.
Sheffield Wednesday announced their ninth signing of the summer transfer window on Sunday, confirming the arrival of former Millwall midfielder Billy Mitchell.
The 25-year-old has joined the Owls on a free transfer, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal at Hillsborough. He has flown out to Budapest alongside the rest of his teammates for the next stage of Wednesday’s pre-season preparations.
Following relegation from the Championship last season, Wednesday knew they were facing one of the most important summers in their entire history, with a major squad rebuild required. Although nine new faces have already been added to manager Henrik Pedersen’s squad, it is not unrealistic to suggest the Owls might not even be halfway through their recruitment drive.
With just under three weeks to go until their first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season - a Carabao Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers at Hillsborough on August 8 - Wednesday will be keen to add more new signings to their squad. The same will be true for their League One counterparts.
With that in mind, here are some of the latest transfer rumours concerning the Owls’ League One rivals...
Orient ‘reject’ latest Ballard bid
Leyton Orient have ‘rejected’ another bid from Bristol City for striker Dom Ballard, according to journalist Alan Nixon. The 21-year-old had already been the subject of two failed bids from the Robins, but a third is said to have also been unsuccessful.
It is claimed that the Championship outfit’s latest offer for the former Southampton striker was worth ‘£4million, plus extras’. Ballard was outstanding in his debut season at Orient last season, scoring 23 goals in 40 League One appearances.
He won the division’s Golden Boot and also scooped League One’s Player and Young Player of the Season awards. He joined Orient last summer, signing a three-year deal with the option of a fourth.
Bristol City are already in the process of trying to strengthen their attacking options with the signing of Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj. It has been widely reported over the last few days that he is set to move to Ashton Gate in a deal worth in excess of £4m.
Nevertheless, it is claimed their pursuit of Ballard is still alive, with the Robins seemingly refusing to give up on luring him to Ashton Gate.
Blackpool ‘in talks’ to land Munroe
According to a report by The Northern Echo, Blackpool are ‘expected’ to complete the signing of Middlesbrough left-back Finley Munroe. The Tangerines have been ‘in talks’ with the Championship outfit over signing the defender on loan ahead of the start of the new campaign.
The 21-year-old joined Boro in the January transfer window from Premier League outfit Aston Villa for a reported fee of £300,000. He has made just three substitute appearances since moving to the Riverside.
Munroe was snapped up by Boro after impressing on loan at Swindon Town during the first half of last season. He contributed two goals and nine assists in just 27 games for the League Two side.
A product of Chelsea’s academy, it is claimed that Middlesbrough ‘still have high hopes’ for the defender but believe he would be better off playing regularly this coming season. Boro are also in the market for a new left-back this summer.