Stoke City and Middlesbrough have made enquiries about the availability of Fernando Forestieri, with the Sky Bet Championship duo looking to lure the forward out of Sheffield Wednesday.  

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Sheffield Wednesday are likely to sell the forward this summer, with Fulham offering the Italian a chance of Premier League football.

Stoke and Boro are also looking to swoop, with the rivals keen to take Forestieri across the Championship ahead of next season.

The 28-year-old has been influential at Hillsborough during his three years in South Yorkshire.

Forestieri has made 88 appearances for the Owls and scored 32 goals, helping Wednesday reach the play-offs in 2016 and 2017, but unable to help his side back to the Premier League.

Last season Forestieri’s campaign was plagued by injuries, however, with the playmaker only managing 11 appearances across all competitions and 10 in the Championship, as Wednesday struggled to a mid-table finish.

Forestieri still managed five goals in the Championship, with four of those coming in his final six appearances of the season as Wednesday began to find their feet under Jos Luhukay.

The Verdict

Forestieri is Wednesday’s most influential player, and should they lose him, it will be a big blow ahead of the season.

Should the Italian leave Hillsborough this summer, Wednesday would probably prefer him moving to a Premier League side and not a direct rival.

However, if Stoke or Boro take their interest any further, Wednesday might be forced to sell.

At 28, Forestieri is in his peak and would improve most squads in the lower end of the Premier League and Championship.

Where will Forestieri be playing his football next season? Let us know your thoughts!