The 10 Championship stars who could transfer this summer

Updated: 10 May 2024 15:09 BST
4 min read

Crysencio Summerville, Leeds United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

The Championship has been a happy hunting ground for Premier League clubs in recent years, with some of the best transfers coming from the second tier of English football.

Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are all examples of such moves, while Adam Wharton is the latest star to emerge onto the Premier League scene having arrived from the Championship.

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As a result, several players currently plying their trade in the second tier could earn big-money moves this summer.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through 10 Championship stars who could move clubs during the upcoming transfer window.

Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn)

Sammie Szmodics was the surprise winner of the Championship Golden Boot this season, picking up the award despite playing as an attacking midfielder for Blackburn Rovers - who finished 19th.

As a result of his immense form this campaign, Szmodics has been heavily linked with a summer exit and several Premier League clubs have been touted as possible destinations, including Everton.

Morgan Whittaker (Plymouth)

Morgan Whittaker was Plymouth’s standout player as they avoided relegation following their promotion from League One.

The right winger notched 19 goals and eight assists in the league and his form attracted shock interest from Serie A side Lazio - who saw a January bid turned down by Plymouth. However, the Italian giants could return this summer, while Premier League interest is likely to appear too.

Jacob Greaves (Hull)

Hull City narrowly missed out on the play-offs and Liam Rosenior was subsequently sacked as a result. The Tigers were hoping for promotion back to the Premier League after major investment, but they were unable to achieve this despite the best efforts of Jacob Greaves.

The talented centre-back is now wanted by the likes of Everton and West Ham.

Jaden Philogene (Hull)

Jaden Philogene was another star of Hull’s season following his move from Aston Villa last summer.

However, they now face the prospect of losing the England U21 international after just one year at the club. Ajax and Tottenham are both reportedly interested, while Villa could be tempted to re-sign him after seeing his immense form this year.

Jack Clarke (Sunderland)

Just like the aforementioned Whittaker, Jack Clarke has also been linked with a move to Lazio - with the Serie A club failing with two separate bids in January.

He has shone in Amad Diallo’s absence at Sunderland and appears ready for a step up following his underwhelming time at Tottenham Hotspur. West Ham have also been linked with a move amid their lack of depth at left wing, while FootballTransfers understand Crystal Palace have scouted the Sunderland star too.

Crysencio Summerville (Leeds)

Crysencio Summerville will be a Premier League player if Leeds United emerge triumphant in the 2023/24 play-offs, but he will likely make the step back to the top flight regardless of whether Daniel Farke's side are victorious at Wembley.

The Dutchman won the Championship Player of the Year award after contributing 28 goal contributions in the league, and Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs who have been linked with a move in recent months.

Perry Ng (Cardiff)

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut recently admitted that he expects transfer offers to arrive for 27-year-old right-back Perry Ng this summer.

Ng provided six goals and four assists during the Championship season, emerging as one of Cardiff’s most important players during their mid-table campaign.

Bulut believes Ng is good enough for Premier League football, revealing: “He is good. Of course the Premier League is a different calibre. He knows this - I spoke with him a few times about that. But I think he can play [in the Premier League]."

Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)

Kyle Walker-Peters was far too good to be playing Championship football this season, but he ended up staying at Southampton despite interest from Chelsea last summer.

He has recently been linked with a sensational return to Tottenham, while a Premier League move will surely be on the cards if Southampton are unable to win the play-offs.

Dan Ballard (Sunderland)

With Jarrad Branthwaite’s future at Everton uncertain amid interest from Manchester United, Sean Dyche’s side are looking for a replacement and Sunderland’s Dan Ballard is one of their preferred targets - along with the aforementioned Greaves.

Ballard has three years left on his current contract, however, which means Sunderland won’t be forced to sell and could place an extremely high price tag on his head. An exit remains a possibility though.

Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)

Jobe Bellingham is most well-known for being Jude’s brother, but he has been a standout performer for Sunderland this year and could earn himself a summer transfer as a result.

Real Madrid have even been linked with a shock move to reunite the brothers, however that seems incredibly unlikely at this stage. Serie A clubs are sniffing around too, while a Premier League move could also happen.