Such has been the seismic financial shift in the Championship post-pandemic that clubs who may have once slightly turned their noses up at talent in the leagues below, simply cannot afford to overlook the potential value that exists in League One.
City have always been open to the concept, and last summer’s acquisitions of Mark Sykes and Kane Wilson on free transfers demonstrate the quality that exists, without having to invest significantly in transfer fees.
Summer free agency next year will be a fertile ground for Championship recruitment departments unwilling or unable to spend transfer fees, while attracting players up the pyramid, as opposed to down from the Premier League, is also made easier by the wage ceiling, which while decreasing still represents a significant pay rise for those in the third tier.
