Signing players from the Championship can sometimes be a gamble but standout performers in England’s second tier are often worth the risk. Aaron Cresswell is the prime example of a player that made a successful step up, having won three awards at the annual end of season ceremony, including Hammer of the Year. I will consider one player from each Championship club that we could try to tempt with Premier League football.
Burnley
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League after an underwhelming campaign but right-back Kieran Trippier is far from a Championship player. If we fail to re-sign Carl Jenkinson on permanent terms then we should look to activate Trippier’s £3.5m transfer clause as our first-choice full back.
QPR
QPR join Burnley in the Championship next season but Leroy Fer is too good for that standard. The combative central midfielder is not short of Premier League suitors and has two years of Premier League experience behind him.
Norwich
Norwich are currently competing in the play-offs but if they fail to achieve promotion then we could offer Nathan Redmond another shot at Premier League football. The 21 year-old English winger has plenty of flair and would provide an alternative creative option in our midfield.
Middlesbrough
Like Norwich, Boro are still gunning for promotion but 22 year-old winger Adam Reach could be a target if they fail to go up. Reach has really nailed down a place in the Boro side this season and could be one for the future.
Brentford
Brentford’s young winger Moses Odubajo, who can also full back, might be tempted by a step up to the top tier following Brentford’s play-off loss. The England under-20 international is very fast and skilful having learnt his trade at local rivals Leyton Orient.
Ipswich
Ipswich are another side that are bidding for play-off success but Tyrone Mings could find himself playing Premiership football one way or another. We have been linked with the left back, who can also play in the middle, but he may look elsewhere as he would probably not be first choice here.
Wolves
The 27 year-old winger Bakary Sako is out of contract this summer and will move on from Wolves. The Mali international is well equipped for Premier League football with speed, strength and skill.
Derby
Derby’s creative central midfielder Will Hughes has been attracting interest from the Premiership for a long time and this could be the summer that the 20 year-old playmaker makes the step up.
Blackburn
Both of Blackburn’s strikers – Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede – have reportedly been eyed up by West Ham. Rhodes is a Scotland international with a prolific goalscoring record at every level whereas Gestede is a Benin international whose career has kicked on since joining Blackburn.
Birmingham
Birmingham’s top choice goalkeeper Darren Randolph could prove to be a decent experienced back-up for Adrian next season, considering Jaaskelainen’s impending exit.
Cardiff
We are in the market for a centre back and Ben Turner may be a cheaper alternative to some of the names we’ve been linked with. He has Premier League experience and would be a back-up option to Reid, Tomkins and Collins.
Charlton
West Ham are supposedly front runners in the chase for Charlton’s 21 year-old right back Morgan Fox. He could follow former teammate Diego Poyet to Upton Park as back-up for either Jenkinson or another new right back.
Sheffield Wednesday
As we are searching for a new second choice goalkeeper, we could raid Sheffield Wednesday for either of their goalkeeping options – Keiren Westwood or Chris Kirkland. Westwood, formerly of Coventry and Sunderland, would provide genuine competition with Adrian whereas Kirkland would be an experienced back-up to the Spaniard.
Nottingham Forest
Thinking back to the nightmare-inducing 5-0 loss to Nottingham Forest a couple of years ago, it was 23 year-old creative winger Jamie Paterson who caused us the most trouble, bagging a hat-trick against our sorry youngsters.
Leeds
Amidst a crisis at Leeds, we could take advantage and swoop for 18 year-old Lewis Cook. The central midfielder has shone in an unexciting season for the Yorkshire club and has the potential to become a future star.
Huddersfield
Alex Smithies is a proven goalkeeper in lower leagues with almost 245 league appearances for Huddersfield in his career. The 25 year-old would be a good back-up to Adrian if he can be prised away from his boyhood club.
Fulham
In a poor season for the former Europa League finalists, Dan Burn has emerged as one of the standout performers. The towering 6’7’’ centre back is just 23 years old but already looks ready to step up to Premiership football.
Bolton
Our quest for a new goalkeeper could lead us to Bolton’s Adam Bogdan. Perhaps best known for being lobbed by fellow ‘keeper Tim Howard, Bogdan’s stock has risen in recent years and Bolton could have been in trouble if not for the Hungarian 27 year-old.
Reading
Jordan Obita has played an influential role in Reading’s season, helping them on their way to the FA Cup semi-final. The 21 year-old is capped by England at youth level and his versatility could aid our defence or midfield.
Brighton
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Brighton’s centre back Lewis Dunk in previous windows. The 23 year-old defender would be available at around £5m.
Rotherham
Rotherham’s best player is 25 year-old playmaker and dead ball specialist Ben Pringle but it is unlikely that he would push for a first team place.
