Sheffield Wednesday are looking to sign 19-year-old centre half David Agbontohoma from Southampton, reports from the Yorkshire Live suggest.
The young defender’s contract is up in the summer and Wednesday aren’t the only club pursuing his signature. He has been reportedly seen at Stoke City, who are also rumoured to be interested in him.
As a slew of young players are set for release at Wednesday, Agbontohoma is the first brick in the rebuilding process.
However, with interest coming from Championship clubs, can the Owls get him to sign on the dotted line?
Wednesday Looking at Deal for Agbontohoma
Would David Agbontohoma Be a Good Fit at Wednesday?
Wednesday’s manager Darren Moore has a penchant for signing young defenders from Premier League clubs. While at Doncaster Rovers, he was a big fan of Wolves’ Cameron John, who he brought to the club.
Agbontohoma seems to fit a similar mould to Dominic Iorfa, who could leave Wednesday in the next transfer window. He’s quick, powerful and strong in the tackle. He’d be a solid replacement and he has plenty of time to develop.
Moore himself was an excellent centre half in his playing days – Agbontohoma could learn a lot from him.
Standing at 6’4, Agbontohoma is a monolithic presence in the air. He can sit deep and clear balls with his head or keep a high line thanks to his pace. In League One, the ability to do both of these things is invaluable.
At just 19, Agbontohoma has much to learn, but Wednesday could be the perfect platform for him to do so.
Can Wednesday Get Their Man?
It’s going to be a tough ask. Had Wednesday stayed up, securing his transfer would have been a much easier task. In the past few years, Stoke have been generally kinder to their young players than Wednesday have. They’ve also produced higher quality players than the Owls on average.
Agbontohoma could be swayed by the prospect of working under Moore, however. He likes to give younger players a chance in the first team, which will work in the 19-year-old’s favour.
Wednesday are releasing numerous academy players, but David Agbontohoma is likely to slot into the first team if signed.
If Wednesday can promise David Agbontohoma first team football, he’s more likely to join. Furthermore, they also have the finances to give him a lucrative contract.
Despite this, Wednesday are a club in turmoil and Agbontohoma’s agent will be aware of this. He may well advise his client to pick the safer option of Stoke.
Given he’s been spotted at the Brittania Stadium, he may well choose Staffordshire over South Yorkshire. But, nothing is finalised yet. Wednesday should be working hard to sign him, as he’d be solid signing with little risk involved.
Wednesday need defenders and David Agbontohoma appears to be a great option. It’d certainly be a step in the right direction for the Owls.
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