Paul Heckingbottom lines up Emil Riis replacement as Preston North End approach former Sheffield Wednesday ace

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Sheffield Wednesday fans may have to see one of their former favourites back at Hillsborough in 2025/26 wearing the colours of Preston North End.

It’s been a miserable summer for Sheffield Wednesday, and that’s an understatement. But, over the last week, the Owls have been losing players left, right, and centre.

We’ve already seen Josh Windass being lined up to join Wrexham, and now another Wednesday star is moving on and closing in on signing with a Championship rival.

Preston North End are clearly ready to take advantage of Sheffield Wednesday’s misery by snapping up a goalscorer they can rely on at this level.

• READ MORE: Championship transfer round-up: Josh Windass to Wrexham, Norwich City and Sheffield United want two new faces

Preston North End want Michael Smith

One major outgoing at Preston this summer was the departure of star striker Emil Riis. The big striker bagged 12 goals in 2024/25 to help keep the Whites in the division.

While the loan signing of Daniel Jebbison could go a long way to filling that void, the latest report from The Star and Sheffield Wednesday journalist Joe Crann suggests North End are keen to sign Michael Smith.

Smith had terminated his contract last week after Dejphon Chansiri failed to pay wages on time, leaving him free to find a new club, and Preston are more than happy to help in that regard.

The report claims Paul Heckingbottom is an admirer of the 33-year-old forward. He will try to convince Smith to make the move to Deepdale, but will face competition from Blackpool and MK Dons, while Middlesbrough have also held talks.

• READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday’s most expensive sales of all time, Djeidi Gassama should have made the list

Michael Smith is yet another player Sheffield Wednesday will regret losing

Smith scored eight goals last term to take his tally at Championship level to 30 goals, and he will be a brilliant bargain signing for any club that can snap him up this summer.

He may not have much long-term value, but as a short-term fix for any club seeking goals, Smith is a great capture.

The fact that the Owls turned down multiple transfer offers for Smith in January, only to lose him for nothing six months later, is another damning indictment of the mess caused by Dejphon Chansiri’s mismanagement.

The Sheffield Wednesday squad is now at bare bones, and the exodus may not be over just yet. It’s a very worrying time for Owls fans indeed.