Sheffield Wednesday are facing a four-way battle in the race to sign Bolton Wanderers midfielder John McAtee as the Owls look to close out their summer business.
In what has been a busy summer for the Hillsborough club after finally being able to reinvest in their playing squad thanks to new owner David Storch and Arise Capital, Henrik Pedersen has made 13 new signings and are still looking to do further business before the 1st of September.
McAtee Chance Revealed
While some areas, including a new left-back, have been viewed as a potential priority for Wednesday in the final weeks of the window, it now seems that a new midfielder may be on the cards.
According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Bolton Wanderers’ John McAtee is of interest to several sides, with Sheffield Wednesday joined by Charlton Athletic, Lincoln City and Cardiff City in lodging enquiries for the 27-year-old.
The former Luton Town man has been long linked with a move away from the Trotters, with reports in the January window suggesting that Lincoln, Barnsley and Bradford City were keen on a loan move for the attacking midfielder.
McAtee had a stellar first match for Bolton in their Championship bow against Preston North End, providing both assists in the match to get Steven Schumacher’s side off to a flying start ahead of their trip to Queens Park Rangers.
Wednesday have already made moves to strengthen their creative output, with both Harry Gray and Callum Slattery signed this summer, both of whom were picked from the start in the Owls’ win away at Leyton Orient.
For Cardiff, they have already splashed out big money to secure Lincoln’s Jack Moylan, adding him to support Rubin and Joel Colwill in attacking midfield for Brian Barry-Murphy.
The Imps are yet to replace the Irish international in their squad, instead focusing on deals for Tanto Olaofe on loan as well as an impending move for towering striker Mikkel Ladefoged.
Is It The Right Move For Wednesday?
After a strong first appearance in the Championship for Bolton Wanderers, it seems strange that John McAtee is now being linked with a potential move away from the club.
While he has been viewed as replaceable in the past given loan interest from sides including one of his current suitors in Lincoln City, his involvement seems somewhat assured in recent weeks, so letting him go elsewhere does seem strange.
Sides like Charlton and Lincoln may be good choices to head to given their needs in the remainder of the window, but for Sheffield Wednesday, this may not be the best of moves given their already completed business.
Callum Slattery, Harry Gray and Louie Barry’s arrivals provide more than ample coverage for their attacking ranks, and having secured Will Grainger to a professional contract, they also have a future star to try and develop over the coming weeks and months.
McAtee would certainly be a good addition to have if they can convince Bolton to loan him in this summer, but that deal may come at the cost of one of their current players, and therefore might not be the wisest of transfer decisions, especially when they have needs elsewhere in the team.
