The start of the new Championship season is less than a month away and the market is hotting up with Bristol City and their rivals looking to bolster their squads ahead of the new campaign.
Bristol City have made a solid start this summer with Mark Sykes, Kal Naismith and Kane Wilson among the incomings, but Nigel Pearson is sure to want further additions before the opening day of the season.
The Robins' rivals, too, are making moves in the market. Here is a roundup of the latest transfer news from across the Championship...
Bristol-born Butland in demand
England international Jack Butland, Bristol-born and a product of local club Clevedon United, started his professional career with Birmingham City and he could be heading back to St Andrew's.
Alan Nixon writes the Blues, who sacked manager Lee Bowyer on Saturday, are eager to sign 29-year-old Butland on loan from Crystal Palace ahead of the new season.
A first loan attempt for the former Stoke City, Barnsley and Leeds United keeper was turned down, but after missing out on Freddie Woodman, who has joined Preston North End, Birmingham have reopened talks with Butland.
Butland has nine England caps, the last of which came in 2018.
Watford eye move for striker
Watford are preparing for another season in the Championship after a short-lived stay in the Premier League and, with Emmanuel Dennis likely to be on the move, new manager Rob Edwards wants reinforcements in attack.
He could turn to Peterborough United top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris, according to Alan Nixon.
The Jamaica international starred for Bristol Rovers in League One, earning a move to London Road in 2020. A 31-goal haul fired Posh to promotion that season and he followed it up with 12 in the Championship last term.
With Posh relegated back to League One, Watford will feel confident they can strike a deal to take Clarke-Harris to Vicarage Road.
Hourihane has options
Former Aston Villa and Barnsley midfielder Conor Hourihane is in demand after becoming a free agent, according to the Daily Mail.
Championship sides Huddersfield Town and Luton Town are in pursuit of the Republic of Ireland international, who has spent the past two seasons on loan at Swansea City and Sheffield United respectively.
League One Derby County are reportedly interested, too, after a deal was struck to lift the club out of administration.
Sunderland waiting on Spurs
Winger Jack Clarke was a big part of Sunderland's long-awaited return to the Championship last season and Alex Neil is eager to take the 21-year-old back to the Stadium of Light once again.
But the former Leeds United man's future is out of Sunderland's hands. Clarke has returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur for pre-season, with Antonio Conte deciding on the player's future.
Spurs could decide to sell Clarke, who has entered the final year of his contract, and Sunderland are eager to complete a deal, but The Northern Echo suggests the Black Cats are eager for clarity.
They hope Spurs make a decision before jetting off to South Korea for their pre-season tour later this month because Clarke's possible involvement overseas could cause significant delays and jeopardise a move to Wearside.
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