Sheffield Wednesday have been beaten to the signature of Odin Bailey, who is poised to join Championship side Portsmouth.
The midfielder was subject to a transfer war over June as he opted to pursue opportunities elsewhere rather than stick with Stockport County, after a second successive season of missing out on promotion through the playoffs.
Pompey Win Out
Sheffield Star reporter Alex Miller revealed that several clubs were interested in a move for Bailey this summer, with Sheffield Wednesday in a race against other League One clubs for his signature.
Interest also stemmed into the Championship, with newcomers Lincoln City also touted with a move as they look to establish themselves in the second tier under Tom Shaw and Chris Cohen.
However, according to the Manchester Evening News’ Sam Byrne, it is Portsmouth that have clinched his services as his contract at Edgeley Park expires.
John Mousinho’s side are looking to improve upon their 18th-place finish last season, and are in need of new midfield reinforcements after the release of Andre Dozzell, who is poised to join DC United in Major League Soccer.
The Pompey boss confirmed in his pre-season press conference that they were not interested in a move for Peterborough United’s Archie Collins, who is of interest to other League One clubs as he heads into free agency.
Bailey played in 46 of County’s 49 third-tier matches last season, providing four goals and two assists, primarily playing in a deeper role than he has previously played in his career.
Step Up Deserved
Since his arrival at Stockport County after being a sporadic squad player at previous club Salford City, Odin Bailey has undoubtedly proven that the Ammies were wrong to let him go with his efforts.
A reliable option in the middle of the pitch for Dave Challinor’s side across his time there, the 26-year-old has not had the most flashy outlying stats, but is more than capable of being able to control a match.
With two promotion attempts under his belt at Edgeley Park, he has instead opted to put himself in the Championship for next year with Portsmouth, who should be able to offer him regular game time in the wake of Andre Dozzell’s exit.
Wednesday Keep Other Fires Burning
Being a target for Sheffield Wednesday at the start of the summer, it will be a slight blow to their planning not to have secured Bailey as one of their many incomings this window.
But, as they have proven with their targeting of players over the past few weeks, the Owls will have plenty of options in mind to join the club, meaning it is likely to unfaze Henrik Pedersen and his recruitment team, especially this early in the window.
Of course, they managed to seal the signature of Callum Slattery from Motherwell yesterday, covering the loss of star player Svante Ingelsson, who will join Ethan Galbraith and Djibril Soumare to form a new-look midfield at Stoke City.
They are also in the chase for Archie Collins, but will face stiff competition from Leicester City, who should have plenty of cash to throw around should they be able to get the sales of Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp over the line.
Harry Gray is also on the cards for a loan deal, and with Leeds United hoping to send him to a local club for the upcoming season, meaning that a move down the M1 to Hillsborough will suit both parties nicely.
