Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal among Prem clubs ready to poach Football League starlets this transfer window
SO the EFL shop is open for business for its January sales. Premier League clubs are eyeing the top talent while Championship teams chasing English football’s promised lands are also looking to strengthen. And then there are those clubs looking to unearth a gem for a bargain price. Here, I take a look at just […]
SO the EFL shop is open for business for its January sales.
Premier League clubs are eyeing the top talent while Championship teams chasing English football’s promised lands are also looking to strengthen.
And then there are those clubs looking to unearth a gem for a bargain price.
Here, I take a look at just some of the players who are in the shop window…
JUDE BELLINGHAM (Birmingham)
Without question the hottest talent in the EFL and possibly one of the best in Europe.
Just 16 years old, Bellingham has been producing dominant performances in the centre of midfield. He has made 22 Championship appearances already — 17 of them starts.
Manchester United have been tracking the Blues wonderkid for some time. Could they pounce now? Bayern Munich are also keeping an eye on him.
JARROD BOWEN (Hull)
The Tigers winger, 23, has scored 17 goals in 28 games this term and the Premier League vultures are circling.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce signed him for Hull in the first place in 2014 and wants to take him to St James’ Park.
But West Brom’s Slaven Bilic is a massive fan and Bowen is said to be his No 1 transfer target.
Yet with the Tigers just two points off the play-offs, it would take a big bid to prise him away this month.
JOE WORRALL (Nottingham Forest)
The centre-half, 22, has been the rock behind Forest’s latest bid to end their 21-year Prem exile.
Arsenal have sent scouts to watch while Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is believed to be weighing up a bid.
DARRAGH LENIHAN (Blackburn)
Rovers ace, 25, has been fantastic at the heart of Tony Mowbray’s defence as they chase a play-off spot.
He is another player interesting the Blades.
JACK BUTLAND (Stoke)
The nine-cap England keeper is in danger of ruining his international career if he stays with the decaying Potters.
Saw him make a series of superb saves at Fulham last month and Premier League clubs will surely be weighing up moves for the 26-year-old this month.
EBERECHI EZE (QPR)
When EFL clubs issue “hands-off” warnings, what they really mean is: “You better come up with a massive bid if you want this kid.”
And that is exactly where QPR really stand with this brilliant attacking midfielder.
West Ham and Tottenham are among those interested in the 21-year-old, who has scored ten goals this season, is one of the best dribblers in the Championship and been involved in a third of the West Londoners’ goals.
JED WALLACE (Millwall)
Lions’ prize asset has been a revelation for Gary Rowett’s side.
The attacking midfielder, 25, is a free-kick specialist and has ability to turn matches on a sixpence.
Aston Villa are among the Prem clubs monitoring him.
IVAN TONEY (Peterborough)
Posh striker, 23, is quick, athletic and can finish — he has scored 17 already this season.
I saw him score a worldie in the FA Cup against Dover last month that would have been as good as any goal you will see in the Premier League this season.
Surely top-flight teams — and some top Championship clubs — will be sniffing but canny owner Darragh MacAnthony will want top dollar.
MARCUS MADDISON (Peterborough)
League One Peterborough have some exceptional talent this season and this midfield ace, 26, is one of the best outside the top division.
Not quite sure what he is doing in the division in all honesty.
Out of contract in the summer but Derby and West Brom are believed to be weighing up £2.5million bids to activate a release clause in his deal.
LUKE MATHESON (Rochdale)
Made his debut for Dale in last season’s Checkatrade Trophy against Bury while he was still FIFTEEN.
The full-back has now turned 17 and is a regular in the Spotland team.
Scored in the 1-1 Carabao Cup draw at Manchester United in September before his team went out on penalties.
He set up Aaron Wilbraham’s FA Cup leveller against Newcastle, who ironically are one of the Prem teams keeping tabs on him.
FLYNN DOWNES (Ipswich)
What a talent. The Tractor Boys’ midfielder played 29 times last season in the club’s disastrous Championship campaign.
And now at the age of 20, he has made another 18 appearances this time round in League One.
Championship sides mainly have expressed an interest, with QPR and Fulham leading the way.
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JARRAD BRANTHWAITE (Carlisle)
Everton have just had a £500,000 bid rejected for this 17-year-old centre-half, who is in his breakthrough season at the Cumbrians.
But Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested, which means Carlisle can push for a much larger fee with substantial add-ons.
To finish, let’s throw these two in for a bit of a laugh…
AARON WILBRAHAM (Rochdale) & TOM POPE (Port Vale)
Two golden oldie centre-forwards who really lit up the FA Cup this week.
So what if Rochdale FA Cup hero Wilbraham is 40. He made Premier League Newcastle look average. (Oh, wait a minute, they’re average anyway!)
I’d sign Pope just to troll the opponents every week on social media.
His tweets about John Stones — and after his goal at the Etihad on Saturday — have brought much entertainment to a game that is becoming increasingly po-faced.