The future of Sheffield Wednesday forward, Lucas Joao is up in the air heading towards the new Championship season. 

It has recently been reported by The Sun's Justin Allen, that Joao is set to hand in a transfer request at Hillsborough, as he looks to force a move elsewhere.

The Bristol Post have claimed that Bristol City are one of the clubs interested in landing his signature in the near future, although it remains to be seen as to whether they have submitted a formal offer to sign the striker.

In a recent interview with BBC Radio Sheffield (quotes sourced from the Sheffield Star), Sheffield Wednesday coach, Lee Bullen issued an update on Joao's future at the club, and insists that there hasn't been a transfer request handed in by the 25-year-old.

"I spoke to him. I don’t believe he has (handed in a transfer request).

"But again I’m reading social media and everything like that. There’s always going to be speculation when one club (Wednesday) has six strikers. It doesn’t hold any fears for me, that."

Joao scored ten goals in 31 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, as they finished 12th in the Championship table, after an impressive second-half of their league campaign under Steve Bruce.

Bruce has since left the club to take charge of Premier League side, Newcastle United ahead of the new season, and the Owls will be hoping to appoint his successor at the earliest of opportunities.

But Bristol City could be put off by Sheffield Wednesday's valuation of the striker, which reportedly stands at a fee in the region of £8m.

The Verdict: 

He doesn't strike me as the sort of player that would force a move elsewhere.

He hasn't featured as much as he would have liked to last season though, and he could be tempted by a move elsewhere if Sheffield Wednesday's valuation of Joao is matched.

But in my opinion, the £8m asking price is far too high for a player that hasn't proven to be a 20-goal striker in English football as of yet.