Barnsley’s number one summer transfer target Chris O’Grady could remain at Sheffield Wednesday next season after admitting he just wants to play where he is wanted.
The 27 year old arrived at Hillsborough for £350,000 from Rochdale in 2011 but has had a stop start time at SW6 netting just nine times in 51 appearances. He managed six goals in only 16 appearances on loan for The Reds in the second half of 2012-2013 which has made David Flitcroft so keen to recruit him permanently.
But O’Grady has admitted all he wants to do is play football and would quite happily remain at Hillsborough if he received game time.
He said: “If I’m wanted at Sheffield Wednesday then that’s great, I’m more than happy to stay if I’m given a chance.
“I just want to play regular football and build on the momentum I got last season playing for Barnsley.
“I want to kick on now and, if my future lies at Sheffield Wednesday then I’ll give 100 per cent, like I do in every game.
“I’m capable of playing in the Championship. I’ve shown what I’m capable of even though I did initially find it a big jump going from League One.
“I was in and out of the team at Sheffield Wednesday last season and things unfortunately stalled, but as far as I know I’m due back in for pre-season training on June 24.
“At the end of the day my allegiance is to whoever wants me. I’m a Sheffield Wednesday player and I’ve got a year left on my contract, so if they want me I’ll happily play and give my all.”
A move to Oakwell is still likely to go ahead however after Owls chairman Milan Mandaric admitted this weekend that the club are losing £5m per season so receiving some transfer fee for a bit part player would come in handy.
Meanwhile Reds boss Flitcroft has revealed he is looking to name a 20 man squad next season with the club’s promising youngsters then set to make up the numbers.
“Flicker” has just 12 first team professionals on his books at the moment as he waits for Luke Steele, Bobby Hassell, Martin Cranie and Tomasz Cywka to decide whether they will sign new contracts. If they were all to sign, The Reds will look to sign four new players- with O’Grady hopefully one of them and then blood players such as Paul Digby, Danny Rose, Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Lukas Lidakevicius and Andrai Jones into the matchday squad.
Flitcroft told The Star:
“I’ve been looking at a lot of players from League One, in the Championship, Belgium and Scotland, all over really,”
“Ideally I’d like a really strong squad of 20 players with the development players to pick from.”
Source: TykesMAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
