OWLS SWOOP FOR HOT-SHOT SAM
AMBITIOUS Sheffield Wednesday have fired out a warning shot to their promotion rivals by swooping for Barnsley striker Sam Winnall – and he’s set his sights on the Premier League.
The Owls have signed a striker in form.
Only last week, the Wolverhampton-born striker, who turns 26 on Thursday, was named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for December after netting six times in six appearances to take his tally to 11 goals for the season.
The former Scunthorpe United man made a successful step up to the second tier with the Tykes this term, but was due to be out of contract in the summer. Therefore, Barnsley are believed to have accepted a cutprice fee of £500,000 with extras if Wednesday win promotion.
Heading into the weekend, the Owls, also linked with a move for Barnsley’s in-demand midfielder Conor Hourihane, were sixth in the Championship, two places about Barnsley in the table, but Winnall clearly believes the former are the better bet to make strides forward.
The striker, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that a club of Sheffield Wednesday’s size are interested in you and as soon as I got that call I wanted to come over and get things sorted. It’s a massive club.
Massive
“It’s a club that’s going in the right direction and wants to get to the Premier League.
“As a player that’s where you want to be. Hopefully I can get a few goals and push them in that direction.”
Nonetheless, Winnall is grateful for the role Barnsley have played in developing his career since he joined them from Scunthorpe in the summer of 2014.
Last term, he helped the Tykes to promotion from League One and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
On Twitter, he said: “I would like to thank everyone at Barnsley for helping me improve as a player.
“I will never forget the memories we shared.
“I’d also like to thank the fans for giving me excellent support. I gave my all whilst a Barnsley player and was honoured to wear the shirt. I wish the club all the best in the future, I’m sure Barnsley will continue to be successful.”