Pre-season is very nearly upon us with transfer activity in the Championship likely to step, and Thursday’s fixture release date a timely reminder of just how close the 2022/23 campaign is.
With Bristol City due to report to the High Performance Centre next week ahead of a European training camp, preparations are well underway. Robins manager Nigel Pearson, of course, remains in the market for new additions as he looks to tweak his squad in the hope of drastically improving on last season’s 17th-placed finish.
The same is true across the division and such is the financial parity - parachute payment clubs aside - of much of the league, the same clubs are targeting the same players which makes for a fiercely competitive market.
Here are the latest transfer rumours and stories from across the division…
Davies’ Championship aim
Curtis Davies wants to stay with Derby County despite the League One club’s financial issues, although admits an offer from the Championship would be hard to ignore.
Davies is out of contract in less than two weeks as the Rams are unable to offer him fresh terms due to the club being in administration with no sign of new ownership on the immediate horizon.
Bristol City are understood to have considered Davies earlier in the window, while former club Hull City have also been linked in a move for the 37-year-old, along with hometown side Leyton Orient.
“I’d like to stay in the right circumstances,” he told the Daily Mail . “That’s my heart talking. My head says if something comes up at Championship level I’d be silly not to take it. I still have a hunger.”
United hunt for Henderson replacement
Manchester United could target Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann as a replacement for Nottingham Forest-bound Dean Henderson, report The Athletic .
United are looking for a deputy to David De Gea and Bachmann represents a low-cost option with the Austrian international available for around £4m. The 27-year-old has made 41 appearances for the Hornets, including 15 in the Premier League and now plays internationally under former United boss Ralf Rangnick.
With Ben Foster having left Vicarage Road, the expectation is that Nigerian Maduka Okoye will be made No1 for the forthcoming Championship campaign, meaning Bachamann is free to leave.
Millwall bid for Dons star
Millwall have made a £1.5million bid to try and sign Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson, reports the Telegraph’s John Percy.
Ferguson is attracting interest from across the Premier League, Championship and in Serie A but the Lions have attempted to steal a march on all the 22-year-old’s suitors with the first offer.
However, Sky Sports News state that it falls well below Aberdeen’s valuation of the Scot who has been a regular in the Scottish Premiership for the past four seasons.
West Brom have competition for Choudhury
West Brom’s hopes of landing Hamza Choudhury from Leicester City appear to have been hit by the news that Everton and Nottingham Forest are both chasing the midfielder.
Former England Under-21 international Choudhury is likely to leaving the King Power Stadium this summer as the 24-year-old is not thought to be part of Brendan Rodgers’ long-term plans.
West Brom had mooted the idea of loaning the defensive midfielder with an obligation to buy should they earn promotion next May, but the presence of Everton and Forest - who both could spend fees on the player - has complicated their pursuit.
The Mirror report that Forest are keen to add some Premier League experience to their midfield, while Frank Lampard’s Everton are searching for reinforcements in that department.
Dwight’s in demand
Burnley winger Dwight McNeil could be a summer target for Premier League Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, as Vincent Kompany assesses his squad options at Turf Moor.
McNeil experienced a poor individual season as the Clarets were relegated to the Championship but, at 22, and with a strong reputation still in the top-flight represents a possible value signing for a number of Premier League clubs.
The Athletic report that internal discussions have already been held over the winger’s future with the opportunity of a sale for around £15m being financially appealing as Kompany looks to reshape the squad ahead of a promotion push.
90min, meanwhile, have listed five clubs who have made enquiries about McNeil: Tottenham, Everton, Brentford, West Ham and Fulham.
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