A major update has emerged on Preston striker Jayden Stockley, one which all but ends Sheffield Wednesday's hopes of signing the attacker.
What's the talk?
According to Hampshire Live, Sheffield Wednesday are close to missing out on Preston forward Jayden Stockley as Charlton are poised to complete a deal for the 27-year-old. The report claims that Portsmouth had agreed a transfer fee with Preston, but Stockley wants to sign for Charlton and the Addicks are now set to bring the centre-forward back to The Valley.
Earlier this week, the Lancashire Post reported that Wednesday were interested in the attacker. The report claimed that a number of League One clubs had submitted similar bids for Stockley, with it being down to the man himself to decide which club he wants to join. This update from Hampshire Live seems to suggest that he has chosen Charlton.
In May of this year, Charlton boss Nigel Adkins lauded the “phenomenal” striker for his work rate and the threat he offers at the top end of the pitch. He told London News Online:
“Jayden Stockley was magnificent yet again. He works his socks off. In the last minute of the game he is down near our corner flag, winning the ball.
“He just kept going – phenomenal. He is such a massive threat. If we can just improve the quality to him, he is such a handful in this division.”
Fans will be gutted
Wednesday fans will be gutted with his latest update as it appears to rule them out of having any chance of landing Stockley.
Dejphon Chansiri has seemingly not been able to convince Stockley that a move to Hillsborough is better than one to The Valley and the 27-year-old now looks set to sign permanently for Charlton. Not only is this a blow for Wednesday, but it is also a boost for their League One rivals Charlton as they are on the verge of adding an excellent player to their squad.
Stockley proved his quality whilst on loan in League One last season. The target man scored eight and assisted two in 20 games, averaging an exceptional WhoScored rating of 7.41. He also won 9.8 aerial battles per game to highlight his impressive ability in the air, something which makes him a top-class outlet as he has shown he can beat defenders to the ball.
The £5.1k-per-week beast could have been a great addition to Darren Moore's squad and the fans would have loved Stockley at Hillsborough.
His overall performances last seaon were superb and SWFC fans could have enjoyed his displays in League One, but they will now - it seems - be watching him play against them twice for Charlton, which is a bit gutting for them.
AND in other news, SWFC dealt transfer blow over “unplayable” £5.4k-p/w ace, Moore surely gutted...