It may be early in the summer transfer window, but business has already started. Stuart Watson looks at the deals done by Championship clubs so far.
NORWICH CITY
The Canaries are tightening their belt now that the Premier League parachute payments have come to an end.
Star man James Maddison is on the verge of a club-record £24m move to Leicester City, with winger Josh Murphy (Cardiff, £11m) and striker Marley Watkins (Bristol City, £1m) having already been sold and Moritz Leitner’s loan from FC Ausberg having expired.
Daniel Farke will be keen to move on big-earners like Steven Naismith, Russell Martin, Matt Jarvis and Michael McGovern off the wage bill.
Argentine striker Emi Beundia has arrived from La Liga side Getafe for a reported £1.5m. The 21-year-old was on loan at Deportiva Leonesa last season – a team that suffered relegation to the Spanish third-tier.
“Emi is the perfect fit for our squad,” said Farke. “We wanted a guy who can score and assist and he did this last season. He’s a technical player, full of creativity and he has lots of potential.”
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NOTTM FOREST
New owner Evangelos Marinakis has made a real statement of intent by bankrolling the signings of young Portuguese duo Joao Carvalho (club-record £13.2m) and Diogo Goncalves (loan with option to buy) from Benfica.
The East Midllands club are hoping they can replicate the success Wolves had shopping in that market last summer.
“I am not scared of the fee,” said Carvalho. “I came here to get the club in the top division.”
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BIRMINGHAM CITY
Danish left-back Kristian Pedersen, 23, is close to joining from German club Union Berlin for a reported £2.2m.
BOLTON WDRS
Midfielder Erhun Oztumer arrives on a Bosman-free transfer from Walsall. The 26-year-old scored 32 goals in two seasons for the League One club.
Have also signed midfielder Jason Lowe after his release by Birmingham.
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BRENTFORD
Bournemouth have made a £10m bid for Welsh international defender Chris Mepham.
The Bees, anticipating that departure, have beaten a host of Premier League clubs to the £2.5m signing of England Under-21 centre-back Ezri Konsa from Charlton.
“His potential is unlimited,” said manager Dean Smith.
PRESTON
Alex Neil has already made four additions to a team that finished seventh.
The Irish influx has continued at Deepdale with the addition of Graham Burke, 24, from Shamrock Rovers for a fee of around £250k.
Centre-back Greg Cunningham (Cardiff, £4m) has been replaced with Jordon Storey (Exeter, undisclosed)
They’ve also signed former Everton midfielder Ryan Ledson (Oxford, reported £1m) and keeper Michael Crowe following the young Welsh international’s release by Ipswich.
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READING
Paul Clement moved quickly to sign experienced Irish duo John O’Shea and David Meyler after their contracts expired at Sunderland and Hull respectively.
“John has played and won at the very highest level and has proven leadership qualities,” said Clement.
“He may be 37 now, but he played 40 games last season and is still incredibly fit and motivated.”
STOKE
Winger Ramadan Sobhi, currently at the World Cup with Egypt, has joined Huddersfield for £5.7m.
Those funds have already been reinvested, with midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo – who impressed for Nigeria in their World Cup opener against Croatia – signed from Portuguese side Feirense for £6.35m and striker Benik Afobe joining on a six-month loan from newly-promoted Wolves.
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WEST BROM
Experienced Northern Ireland international defender Jonny Evans has joined Leicester for £3.5m just six months after being valued at £30m+. Several more could follow out the exit door, including Gareth McAuley, Gareth Barry and James Morrison.
WIGAN
Have paid out a ‘seven-figure fee’ to land 19-year-old skilful Portuguese midfielder Leo Da Silva Lopes from Peterborough United.
“Leo has been one of the best young players in the EFL over the past couple of seasons, so this is a really strong addition to our squad,” said manager Paul Cook.
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