Swansea City have confirmed the signing of Australian international Cameron Burgess from Ipswich Town, while Wrexham are eyeing a shock move for a Sheffield Wednesday star
After a bittersweet 2024/25 Championship campaign, Coventry City will be looking for key players in the summer transfer window to take them that little bit further next term.
A play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of promoted Sunderland felt ever more painful for Sky Blues fans after their team largely dominated the Black Cats – only to still lose out.
Sunderland’s Wembley final success over favourites Sheffield United then merely rubbed salt in the City wounds, but no doubt also made Frank Lampard and his team determined to make sure there will be no repeat in 2025/26.
Reports suggest they are keen on Aston Villa full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden, with the Sun claiming they have “prepared a £5m bid” for the 22-year-old..
And according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Coventry and Sheffield United are among a number of Championship clubs keen on Preston North End striker Emil Riis Jakobsen.
City have also been linked with Spanish left-back Miguel Ángel Brau who, it is claimed, will join the club at the end of June.
It is clear that the Sky Blues, under ambitious owner Doug King, mean business – and are prepared to invest in the right players to take them nearer the goal of a return to the Premier League.
But their rivals are also bolstering their squads, and we have taken a look at some of the latest deals and rumour from around the Championship…
Swansea sign Cameron Burgess
The Swans have signed 29-year-old Australian international Cameron Burgess on a three-year deal from Ipswich Town. Burgess was out of contract at the Tractor Boys and follows Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa and Ricardo Santos into the Welsh club.
Burgess got his start at Fulham and underwent loan spells at Oldham Athletic, Ross County and Bury before joining Accrington Stanley in 2020. A year later, he signed for Ipswich, where he was instrumental in helping his side achieve two promotions as they stormed into the Premier League. The Swans’ new signing also helped his country qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The club have also been linked to Ethan Galbraith, who plays for Leyton Orient, but the Londoners are reluctant to release him after they turned down a £1.3m deal from Charlton Athletic.
Wrexham tracking Owls skipper
According to The Sun, promoted Wrexham are circling the cash strapped Owls with a particular interest in their captain, 35-year-old Barry Bannan. He has made more than 400 appearances during his career, but is one of the Wednesday players who could move on if the club are unable to pay his overdue wages.
Following their rise through the football leagues, celebrity ownership and lucrative business deals mean Wrexham could offer Bannan a top salary.
Reports have also linked the Welsh club with midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who will soon be a free agent after a short spell at Hillsborough.
Other big-money deals swirling around Wrexham include a reported move for former Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney and ex-Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.
Moves in dugout and on pitch
New Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has wasted no time in starting to shape his squad. The 48-year-old Bosnian joined the Championship side after a short spell in charge of Turkish outfit Kayserispor.
And around the same time the new gaffer was announced, midfielder Reda Laalaoui arrived from Moroccan side Fath Union Sport on a four-year deal. The BBC say Hull also have the option of extending the players contract for a fifth year.
Laalaoui told his new club’s website: “I am really happy to join Hull City – it is a historic club in England and I am looking forward to helping the team and making the supporters happy.”
The Tigers have also been linked with striker Oli McBurnie. The 29-year-old Scottish international is set to hold talks with Jakirovic, according to Hull Live. McBurnie is looking for a new club after his departure from Las Palmas, and has also been linked to both Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday, plus Celta Vigo in La Liga.
Hull are also believed to be making a move for Dinamo Zagreb’s Albanian international winger Arbër Hoxha.
He is under contract at Zagreb until the summer of 2027, but is thought to be available for around £1m.
Rams looking at Blackburn captain
Derby County are looking to improve on last season’s flirtation with relegation after they finished in 19th position. They have been linked with Blackburn captain Lewis Travis, and Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes the capture of the 27-year-old defensive midfielder would be a ‘great signing’.
According to the Derby Telegraph, Travis is approaching the final year of his contract at Ewood Park but has been offered a new three-year deal. Hendrie told FLW: “John Eustace worked with Travis at Blackburn and knows what he’s all about and how influential he is.
“I watched him as a young player, and he’s stepped in and really stepped up. I think he’d be a fantastic signing for Derby, I really do. Like I said, Eustace knows him well and knows what a key role he can play.”
Relegated sides mean business
After Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton were all relegated from the top flight this season — all three clubs will be looking for a fast return. But in order to do that, they will need to make smart moves in the transfer market.
With the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy, the Foxes will be looking to fill the massive void and they have been linked with Greek striker Fotis Ioannidis. Southampton are also believed to be interested in the player.
Southampton are also believed to be looking at French forward Willem Geubbels.
As for Ipswich, they are armed with a £30m war chest following the sale of Liam Delap to Chelsea and will be looking for players to go into the new campaign in a strong position.
