Sheffield Wednesday should plot Plymouth Argyle transfer raid amid Josh Windass exit fear | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday should consider signing Ryan Hardie to replace Josh Windass, if the striker leaves this summer.

Sheffield Wednesday top scorer Josh Windass' future at Hillsborough is up in the air, as his father, Dean, appeared to confirm that his son will leave the club this summer.

Windass is just one goal away from becoming Wednesday's leading goalscorer this century, but he could be on his way out of the club in the summer, amid South American interest back in January

Dean Windass dropped a cryptic hint recently, as he posted a video on his X account which stated: "We're playing [golf] at Hillsborough, and how ironic that I'll be going on Saturday to watch our Josh - final game at Hillsborough for Josh.

"He's had a great career at Sheffield Wednesday. He scored a lot of goals, obviously the most important one at Wembley. So we'll see what the next chapter in his life is."

With the 31-year-old's future uncertain, the Owls should turn to Plymouth Argyle for their replacement if Windass calls it a day on his career at the Yorkshire club.

Sheffield Wednesday could turn to Ryan Hardie to replace Josh Windass

As mentioned, Windass is the club's top goalscorer in the Championship this season with 12 goals. He is also one goal away from becoming Wednesday's leading goalscorer this century, and his stunning strike against Derby County was nominated for EFL Goal of the Season.

The attacker will leave a huge void if he departs the club in the summer, but Sheffield Wednesday could look to fellow Championship side Plymouth for his replacement.

Ryan Hardie has been coming up with the goods for the Pilgrims in recent years, and it would be no surprise to see him on the radar of plenty of Championship clubs when Argyle's inevitable relegation to League One is confirmed.

With just two fewer goals than the current Wednesday forward in a poorer side, the Scot has all the minerals to be a great successor for Windass. The 28-year-old would represent a very shrewd piece of business by Danny Rohl.

What Plymouth Argyle's Ryan Hardie could bring to Sheffield Wednesday

Despite a turbulent season on the pitch for Argyle, which has gone from the highs of beating Liverpool to the lows of relegation, Hardie has always been a reliable source of magic for the Green Army.

The forward is athletic, tenacious, and fast with his attacking play, always making clever runs to open up opportunities for his side. Having been tried and tested at Championship level, it's fair to say he's more than proven he deserves to be playing at that level next term.

Under Miron Muslic, Hardie thrived towards the end of the campaign, and would likely have the same impact in Rohl's system at Hillsborough.

All in all, Wednesday must find another source of goals if Windass leaves. Hardie offers everything that the German boss would look for in a striker, whilst also potentially costing less due to Plymouth's impending relegation.

The Argyle talisman is, much like Windass, a seasoned Championship goalscorer, having also recorded 12 strikes last time out.

He has spent the last five years of his career at Home Park but, with a return to League One now on the horizon for Argyle, this summer may represent the best opportunity for Hardie to try his hand elsewhere in a change of scenery, and it's hard to contest that he's earned his right to remain in the second-tier.