Sheffield Wednesday could lose Max Lowe this summer with three Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough vying for his signature.
The 29-year-old has been a stalwart through the Owls’ turbulent second-tier seasons, and played 29 times for Henrik Pedersen’s side as they were condemned to League One football.
Wednesday Offer Deal As Boro Circles
Lowe is currently set to leave Hillsborough this summer with his contract expiring at the end of June and that has alerted multiple clubs to the possibility of striking a free agent deal.
According to Joe Crann through his The Wednesday Word Substack, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Leicester City are all eyeing a move for the defender upon the expiration of his contract.
However, there is still a possibility he remains in South Yorkshire beyond the summer, with the Owls tabling a contract to the former Derby County man.
It is believed, though, that work still needs to be done in order to entice Lowe to remain with David Storch’s new project at Wednesday, with Crann noting that it is increasingly likely he leaves the club amid conversations over the overall wage structure.
Joining from their Steel City rivals in 2024 on a free transfer, Lowe has played 66 times on the banks of the River Don under both Danny Rohl and Henrik Pedersen.
Hellberg Eyes Further Depth
Middlesbrough’s loss in the Championship Play-off final means that Kim Hellberg will now have to rebuild his side over the summer, with Hayden Hackney certain to leave and others perhaps also ready to jump ship from the Riverside.
Luke Ayling still has one year left on his deal with Boro, adding some additional bodies to their backline will be a great move to make should they opt not to renew him in 12 months time, and could also provide cover should any teams make a move for 24-year-old Adilson Malanda.
Lowe has been consistent in a Wednesday team that had no chance of beating the drop, and while there is questions over his availability across an entire season, he should be able to provide enough cover should a main option in the back three fall to injury.
Whether Boro can hit the highs of this season once they have been stripped of their best players remains to be seen, but adding Max Lowe to their ranks should sure up a defence which dearly cost them a chance at automatic promotion.
Foxes Need Quality
Leicester City though may be the team that needs Lowe’s services the most as they prepare for an even greater exodus thanks to their relegation to League One.
It is unlikely that players like Jannik Vestergaard or Harry Souttar, who have plenty of Championship and Premier League experience to their names, will want to stick around in the third tier.
Adding Lowe as a leadership figure for what could be a much younger-profile squad next season could be a sensible choice, given he has had to fill largely the same role for Wednesday this campaign amid their transfer embargo.
With Jamal Lascelles and Ricardo Pereira both out of the door following the publication of the club’s retained list, finding someone who can put on the armband is a must, regardless of who manages the club next season.
