Amid all the flashy ties, push notifications and wailing online, you might be forgiven for thinking the transfer window has not just slammed shut, but been bolted tight and had the curtains closed behind it. However, you’d be wrong in that assumption, because EFL clubs are still able to trade freely amongst themselves and with the Premier League.
So with the second transfer deadline day of this season hurtling towards us, Paddy’s trusty traders have turned their attention to which Championship players could be moving on up to the Premier League.
One of the hottest properties in the second tier is Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. The Senegal star is wanted by some of the biggest clubs in the land and would demand a big fee if the Hornets were to let him go. We think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United are the most likely while the champions Liverpool are second in the betting.
Aston Villa have shown they are not afraid to buy from The Championship and they come next in our list, but we’re already entering the realm of outsiders with their price. Everton are the same price as Villa while Fulham and Wolves are also priced up at bigger odds.
Said Benrahma was one of the stars of Brentford’s ultimately futile charge up the Championship table post lockdown and he has long been linked with a move away from west London. Our traders don’t think he’ll be moving far and he’s odds on to swap west for east with a move to West Ham.
Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace are some way back in terms of prices but are our second-favourites to sign the tricky forward. Leeds come next in front of Aston Villa and Fulham.
It’s the Hammers who top our market for another pacey Championship attacker in the shape of Bournemouth’s Joshua King. The Cherries striker is also big odds-on to move to the London Stadium.
But this is a transfer in which may not be as cut and dry as it seems with some smallish prices for the other contenders. We think Everton are next up and they’re ahead of Tottenham.
Wolves have a fairly large price as they consider replacements for Diogo Jota while Man United and Leicester lurk behind them at even bigger-odds.
The old war horse Troy Deeney is, you might not be surprised to read, convinced he still has what it takes to cut it in the top flight. West Brom lead the betting for his signature and are the huge favourites to get it.
Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, West Ham, Tottenham and Aston Villa all get a price but a move for each of those teams looks unlikely.
Sunday’s top tips:
- Our 20/1 as Belgium head to Wembley to tackle England
- Bore draw looking likely as Ireland face Wales AGAIN on Sunday
- Euro qualifying hangover could make it a sticky evening for Northern Ireland v Austria
- Goals galore unlikely as Scotland tackle Slovakia at Hampden
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