Modest they may be, and early in the window, but each of Bristol City's moves so far this summer can be accompanied by a sizeable tick: Mark Sykes and Kal Naismith arriving on free transfers and Timm Klose signing a new 12-month contract.
Nigel Pearson wants more, although unlike last year he's neglected to mention exactly how many, but this is a solid foundation for the Robins to do more business - in and out of the club - over the next few weeks, preferably before pre-season starts.
Next week is usually when the bulk of the EFL return from their summer holidays and are able to make decisions on their future, leading to knock-on effect up and down the divisions. It's still slow going in the market but here are the latest rumours involving Championship clubs.
O'Brien's in demand
Huddersfield Town appear increasingly resigned to losing star midfielder Lewis O’Brien with five Premier League clubs chasing his signature.
TEAMtalk report that Leeds United, who considered signing the 23-year-old in January, are keen, irrespective of whether or not Kalvin Phillips leaves, while Crystal Palace, Southampton plus newly-promoted Bournemouth and Fulham are in the mix.
O’Brien, who made 43 appearances for the Terriers as they reached the play-off final only to lose to Nottingham Forest, reportedly has a release clause of £12m.
Swansea make their first play
Swansea City will confirm the arrival of Arsenal goalkeeper Remy Mitchell next week, according to Wales Online, as the club’s first summer signing.
The 18-year-old, who wasn’t offered a professional contract by Arsenal. will initially move into the Under-23 set-up at Swansea with a long-term plan to bring him into the first-team set-up.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Swans wanted to sign defender Kal Naismith from Luton Town only to be beaten to the 30-year-old by Bristol City.
Head coach Russell Martin couldn’t shift the necessary individuals off the wage bill to make room for Naismith who last week joined the Robins on a three-year contract following an excellent season for the Hatters.
Posh hold on to Edwards
Peterborough United have rejected a bid in the region of £2m from an unnamed Premier League club for promising centre-back Ronnie Edwards.
The 19-year-old has a host of top-flight clubs watching him with Aston Villa, Tottenham, Southampton plus RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund all having been linked.
Director of football Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph : "We've had many conversations with many clubs about Ronnie. And we have had one bid from a Premier League club which we turned down as it fell well short of our valuation of the player.
"Ronnie has told me his preference is to stay in England and play in the Premier League, but he’s also happy to stay with us if we decide to keep him.”
Spurs not alone in desiring Spence
Newcastle United have entered the race to sign Middlesbrough wing-back Djed Spence following his outstanding season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Spence was an integral player behind Forest’s surge up the Championship table under Steve Cooper and even though they secured Premier League football via the play-offs, the 21-year-old is destined for a top-flight club.
Tottenham were believed to be the front-runners and football.london report that Spence is open to a move to north London but Newcastle United are also lurking, along with Roma, Borussia Dortmund, Brentford and Forest, who would love to sign the right-sided player on a permanent basis.
Kilkenny open to loan move
Bournemouth midfielder Gavin Kilkenny has admitted he wants to go out on loan to earn regular first-team football with Middlesbrough believed to be interested in the 22-year-old.
Kilkenny made 13 starts for the Cherries during their promotion season but accepts he may struggle to match, let alone exceed, that number in the Premier League and is assessing his options.
Chris Wilder is keen to add to his midfield options and Kilkenny, who has two years on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, is an obvious option for Boro.
Kilkenny told the Irish Examiner : “Ultimately, you have to be realistic. With Bournemouth going into the Premier League, a lot of people are asking if I’m going on loan and that’s probably what I’m thinking now. I tried to go previously but they wouldn’t let me.”
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