Sheffield Wednesday: U-turn in Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City deal opens up late opportunity for Owls

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: John Buckley of Blackburn Rovers in action  during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns on February 14, 2022 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: John Buckley of Blackburn Rovers in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns on February 14, 2022 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The Owls are understood to be one of a handful of clubs interested in the loan signing of 23-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder John Buckley.

The Star revealed earlier today that Championship rivals Swansea City had launched a bid in the region of £3m to take Buckley on a permanent deal and that the midfield technician was expected to make the move, leaving Wednesday’s interest on life support.

But The Star can now report that Manchester-based Buckley will not make the move to South Wales, with sources suggesting if he is to move from Blackburn, he would prefer to sign for a club in the north.

It opens up a window of opportunity that could see Wednesday able to take Buckley on loan before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Buckley has fallen down the pecking order at Blackburn in recent months and having not been chosen to travel with Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side for the trip to Plymouth Argyle this weekend is keen on a club with the offer of first team football.

Wednesday are known to be keen to add to their midfield options. Newcastle United’s Jeff Hendrick is understood to have been at Middlewood Road today and is believed to be closing in on a loan switch.

More when we have it.