Sheffield Wednesday line up deal for ex-Sunderland forward who’s available for free
Sunderland have had an extremely busy transfer window as they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Sunderland spent £30million on Habib Diarra, breaking their transfer record fee on a player who could develop into a top-level midfielder.
In the past, Sunderland has had many top players whose value has plummeted due to their form stagnating at the club over a long period.
One former Sunderland player may now be on the verge of joining Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Duncan Watmore keen to join Sheffield Wednesday
Watmore played for Sunderland for seven years before leaving the club in 2020.
Since leaving the club, he has played for rivals Middlesbrough, and most recently, Millwall.
He started the 2024/25 season brilliantly for Millwall, earning him a nomination for August’s Player of the Month award.
Watmore is now a free agent, and is set for a return to the Championship, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting via Patreon on 16 September that he could be about to join Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls are keen on signing Watmore, and want him to join up with the squad for training whilst they seek permission from the EFL to make a new signing.
Watmore has been available all summer and previously trained at Blackpool, and he is said to be keen on joining Wednesday.
The Owls are struggling in the Championship, as they sit 23rd in the table and deal with many off-the-field issues regarding their owner, Dejphon Chansiri.
Plagued by financial issues, Wednesday’s contract offer for Watmore needs to be rubber-stamped by the football authorities before the 31-year-old can join the club.
Duncan Watmore was an exciting forward for Sunderland
Watmore had many memorable moments for Sunderland, including scoring the third goal in a 3-0 win over relegation rivals Norwich City in April 2016.
He was a key part of the side that managed to compete the great escape under Sam Allardyce, but time at the club wasn’t without its pain, as Watmore sustained in ACL injury in 2016, which would rule him out for close to year.
Watmore even scored against Sunderland in 2024 during Millwall’s 1-0 win at The Stadium of Light.
| Appearances | 87 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 8 |
Sunderland have striker issues of their own at the moment, with Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey struggling in the 0-0 draw vs Crystal Palace.
Marc Guiu was also recalled back to Chelsea, and Sunderland are still searching for their first away goal in the Premier League.
Despite their attacking woes on the road, Sunderland have started life in the Premier League well, and fans are hopeful that they can become the first promoted side to achieve survival since 2022/23.
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