Sheffield Wednesday interest in Blackburn Rovers midfielder killed as Swansea City make big-money bid

The Star revealed yesterday that the talented 23-year-old midfielder was among their list of targets for a busy deadline day, with hopes his reduced role at Blackburn would allow them to take him on what was likely to be a loan deal.

Both Rovers and Buckley were believed to have been open to the move to Hillsborough - Blackburn’s pursuit of another signing would have greased the wheels it is believed - but a bid somewhere in the region of £3m from Owls’ Championship rivals Swansea City appears to have killed any hopes of a Hillsborough switch.

Among the other clubs interested in taking Buckley on loan were Millwall, Hull City, Sunderland and Aberdeen.

Swansea’s bid is understood to have been the first formal bid of any kind lodged to Blackburn.

The news serves as another hit to Wednesday’s deadline day plans after a loan switch for Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden hit the buffers at a late stage.

An approach for Bournemouth attacker Jamal Lowe was always going to be a difficult deal to complete given intense competition from a number of clubs. Reports suggest the Jamaican international is reportedly on his way to Swansea.

Whether he is joined there by Buckley remains to be seen.

The Owls do look set to sign Hayden’s Newcastle teammate Jeff Hendrick. The Republic of Ireland international is understood to have been at Hillsborough today with a view to completing a loan switch.

Efforts continue at Hillsborough to bring in the reinforcements required - with a forward and a midfielder believed to be high on the priority list.