Ike Ugbo’s announced deal with Sheffield Wednesday may create room for Lee Gregory to move to Wrexham in January.
Former Chelsea striker Ugbo was moved to Cardiff City for the entire season on loan in the summer, but Troyes, his parent club, called Ugbo back during the transfer window, only to send him out on loan once more right away.
The striker struggled in Cardiff’s capital as the team looked to secure a play-off spot in the Championship, scoring just four goals in 22 games for the team this season.
Due to a hamstring injury, Ugbo was unable to establish himself as a Cardiff starter and was sidelined entirely following the Bluebirds’ 3-0 loss to Hull in December.
After months of being linked to a Hillsborough escape, Wednesday agreed to recruit the striker on loan until the end of the season. They will be hoping to get the most out of the forward, whose presence could free up another forward to leave the team in January.
Ugbo became the first window signer on Wednesday.
Danny Rohl, the manager, will be pleased with Ugbo’s loan signing from Troyes because he acknowledged that he wanted to add a new striker in January.
Ugbo is a player who might have a significant influence at Hillsborough because of his powerful, physical presence up front. Despite coming through Chelsea’s youth, he has had difficulty making a lasting impression at the professional level.
With four goals and one assist in 937 minutes of football, his record of scoring goals at Cardiff wasn’t too bad, and a bigger role at Hillsborough might help him reach his full potential.
Ugbo might be the difference between staying in the playoffs if he can add to the four goals he has already scored this season.
Ugbo’s transfer could allow Gregory to leave for Wrexham
Due to interest from League Two team Wrexham, Wednesday will be able to release veteran striker Gregory in January thanks to the signing of the former Chelsea player.
Since December, Gregory and Wrexham have been connected. According to journalist Darren Witcoop, manager Phil Parkinson desired the 35-year-old striker to contribute to the team’s push for promotion from League Two, as the Welsh team aims to win back-to-back titles.
Despite his struggles to get into games this season, Gregory’s two and a half seasons with the Owls would come to an end with this. Since October, the striker has only played one minute of league football and has not appeared in any squad games.
Even though he didn’t play on Wednesday, the team might not have been ready to let him go in case they ran out of strikers due to an injury issue.
On the other hand, Ugbo’s signing has provided them with an additional striker and may serve as the impetus for Gregory’s move to Wrexham. Additionally, it would release a portion of the wage allocation for Wednesday, which might enable them to keep making transfers this month.
