Bristol City are the leading contenders to sign Sheffield Wednesday striker Lucas Joao if he leaves Hillsborough this summer.
Bristol Live now understand that Huddersfield Town's reported interest in the Portuguese international is unsubstantiated with sources at the Terriers indicating the link to the relegated Premier League side are wide of the mark, apparently leaving Lee Johnson's Robins as the leading contender for the forward's signature.
Bristol City are eyeing up Joao as they look to land a spearhead striker who can add quality to the Robins front line.
Joao signed a contract extension at the Owls in the summer of 2018 and is contracted until 2021 and it has been mooted that several second tier sides wish to take him on, after he hit nine goals in 31 Championship appearances last season.
However, only 18 of those were league starts, with 13 from the bench - following an inconsistent year. Reports have suggested that the Owls want £8m for the 25-year-old, who would welcome more first-team chances.
However Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Lee Bullen, who has stepped into the role following Monday’s resignation of Steve Bruce who has become Newcastle United manager, has cast doubt on reports the attacker has handed in a transfer request when he spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield on Thursday.
Joao is a full international, shortly after sealing his move to Hillsborough in 2015, the forward was a surprise pick in Fernando Santos' Portugal squad for friendlies against Russia and Luxembourg.
He came off the bench in the former and started the latter alongside the likes of Bernardo Silva, Nani and Pepe. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't in the squad.
Before his senior call-up Joao had five caps for Portugal at youth level, including three for the U21 side.
Joao is capable of operating across the front line, featuring on the left, right and straight through the middle last term.
He can even operate behind a main striker in a free role.
His preferred position is as a central attacker, as you might expect for a man who stands at 6ft3ins tall.
Still only 25, in total he has scored 40 goals in close to 200 career appearances, as well as a useful 25 assists.
He scored in the Owls' damaging 2-0 win over the Robins towards the end of the season, lofting the ball over Max O'Leary after being played through.
