Sheffield Wednesday could turn their attention to signing Sory Kaba from Las Palmas, as they could be priced out of a deal to sign Ike Ugbo on a permanent basis from Troyes.
Striker Ugbo joined on loan from French side Troyes, after spending the first half of the season on loan at Championship rivals Cardiff City, and the Canadian international made a big impact, scoring seven times and registering one assist in 19 games, to help secure the club’s second tier status.
However, this form didn’t go unnoticed, and it’s been reported by journalist Darren Witcoop that Wednesday could be priced out of a permanent move for the Troyes man.
Ike Ugbo opted against playing at the 2024 Copa America, instead taking a rest ahead of the new season.
Wednesday do have a contingency plan, however, and they are reportedly interested in Las Palmas striker Kaba, who has previous experience of Championship football following a spell at Cardiff during the 2022/23 season.
Kaba joined the La Liga side last summer, but is free to leave after just a season, and is attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs, as per Darren Witcoop.
Sheffield Wednesday expected to be priced out of deal for Ike Ugbo
Our Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit, Callum Maxted, wants his side to sign Ugbo on a permanent basis this summer, but believes that they could be priced out following his successful spell on loan.
This means they may have to look elsewhere, and Las Palmas man Kaba could be a suitable replacement.
Speaking to Football League World, Callum said: “If I had the choice I would go with Ugbo, but that’s only because I’ve seen Ugbo play. I haven’t seen Kaba play really, so I can’t really comment on how good he is.
“We were told by Cardiff fans that Ugbo wasn’t good enough, then he came to us and he was.
“Their sizes are different, and they’re different styles, but if we’re looking for that pressing forward, then I think you go with someone like Ugbo who knows the club and has that experience, but we’re probably going to get priced out of that deal.
“It’s a case of looking elsewhere to find out if we’ve got anything on the horizon, and I think that Kaba would be the next big thing really.”
Sory Kaba has proved his worth at Championship level
Kaba joined a Cardiff side battling relegation from the Championship in January 2023, and he played a huge role in helping the club avoid relegation.
It was the Guinea international’s first taste of English football, and he played 17 games in total for the Bluebirds, scoring eight goals, registering one assist, and finished as the club’s top scorer, despite joining on the 31st January.
The Bluebirds finished 21st that season, and would have actually been relegated had it not been for Reading’s six-point deduction, and it had not been for Kaba’s goals, the Bluebirds would have been a League One side for the 2023/24 season.
Sory Kaba’s time in the Championship – Fotmob | |
Appearances | 17 |
Minutes played | 1,152 |
Goals | 8 |
Assists | 1 |
Shots | 34 |
Shots on target | 16 |
Dribble success | 59.1% |
Touches in opposition box | 63 |
Duels won | 42.3% |
Aerial duels won | 47.4% |
The former FC Midtylland striker is strong, physical and good in the air, so Wednesday shouldn’t be put off by his form with Las Palmas.
Kaba has scored just 2 goals in 20 appearances for the side from the Canary Islands, but La Liga is clearly a step-up from the Championship, and he’s shown he’s a good player in the past.
If Wednesday can’t get a deal over the line for Ugbo, they shouldn’t panic, and instead they should look to sign Kaba this summer.