The clock's ticking in the transfer window with exactly one month left for managers to try and bolster their squads.
For Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson, business is likely to be few and far between after conceding there is a possibility the club could welcome no further incomings unless one or two players leave first.
With a thin squad already, that poses a dilemma for the manager although interest from Bournemouth in club captain Dan Bentley may just start a domino effect of deals if it goes through. The 29-year-old has just a year left on his contract at the Robins and therefore the club may not be able to turn down a respectable offer.
Bournemouth are in the market for a back-up stopper and the decision could come down to whether Bentley would be happy playing second fiddle, even if he does fulfil his dream of being in the Premier League.
There's still a lot of ifs and buts but Pearson will have to decide to reinvest the cash on a replacement in goal or let Stefan Bajic and Max O'Leary battle it out for the No1 jersey throughout the season. The manager will also be hoping to strengthen other areas of his squad including in midfield and defence.
Here we run the rule over the latest rumours in the Championship, including a defensive midfielder who sealed a loan switch to City's league rivals.
Norwich in for midfielder
According to Mundo Deportivo, promotion hopefuls Norwich are keen to sign midfielder Akouokou from Real Betis.
The 24-year-old is a defensive midfielder, renowned for his ability to screen play in front of the defence, with Genk and Elche also looking into his availability.
The report adds how Betis have asked for £6million to allow him to leave, although no side is ready to match that asking price as it stands. Akouokou still has just under two years left on his contract.
Manager Dean Smith is still determined to bring players through the door with Chilean midfielder Marcelino Nunez reportedly close to joining in a deal worth £3.3m.
Liam Delap to Stoke
Stoke are hoping to win the race for highly-rated Manchester City forward Liam Delap on a season-long loan, according to The Athletic's Dan Sheldon.
Southampton have seen a £16m offer rejected by City for his signature this summer while Newcastle have also had an enquiry rebuffed. Man City are only willing to let him leave on loan and believe he has the ability to play in the first-team after earning some senior experience.
Liam's dad, Rory Delap, is also a first-team coach at the Potters and is likely to influence the transfer with an undoubted host of Championship clubs looking into his signature.
The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young talents and City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly reluctant to let him leave on loan to a Premier League club.
Ex-City player on the move
Blackburn are looking to bolster their midfield with the signing of former City attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics.
The Peterborough man didn't train with the League One side on Monday and is reportedly on his way to Rovers to finalise his deal worth in the region of £2.5million.
It's good news for City who could net around £300,000 as part of the deal following a sell-on clause included in the deal when Szmodics was sold to Posh in 2020 for around £1million. The Robins will pocket 20 per cent of any profits from his sale.
Blackburn sign Tyler Morton
Sticking with Blackburn and they have signed defensive midfielder Tyler Morton from Liverpool on a season-long loan.
He's a player that would have been suited to the Robins as Pearson looks to address that area of the field. The City manager has already revealed they have made contact with Premier League clubs for potential loan deals and one can only wonder whether Pearson had thrown his hat in ring for his signature.
The manager also revealed how for every loan target, there are a host of Championship clubs looking to sign the same player. Liverpool may have favoured sending Morton to Ewood Park because of the success they had in helping Harvey Elliott's development in the past.
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