EFL transfer round-up as Sunderland eye non-league star and free agents battle
One day to go. Yes, the January transfer window opens on (you guessed it) January 1, with a flurry of winter deals expecting as clubs look to get in on some early bargains.
Here are some of today's best transfer headlines involving EFL teams along with analysis from our EFL 72 team. Sign up to the EFL 72 newsletter below...
Four-way battle emerges for free agent
Free agent Matty Sorinola looks set to turn heads this January. According to TeamTALK, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Preston and Stoke are all interested in the unattached wing-back. The 22-year-old defender turned down a new deal with MK Dons to sign for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2021, but his contract has been terminated, opening up a potential return to the UK.
EFL 72 says:Having spent a year on loan at Swansea in 2022, Sorinola has Championship experience - and his free agent status means any deal is likely to be an inexpensive gamble which could pay off handsomely.
Rooney on thin ice at Birmingham
Wayne Rooney was a big-name managerial signing for Birmingham City, but the Manchester United and England legend has struggled badly at St Andrew's. Rooney is closing in on the lowest win percentage in the club's history as Tom Brady's ownership group considers sacking dismissing the former Three Lions captain.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Read more here.
EFL 72 says:Friday night's stalemate against Bristol City leaves City winless in four and three points above the relegation zone. A defeat against Leeds on New Year's Day could leave Rooney's position untenable.
Leeds face January questions as form tails off
Leeds continue to stutter in their Premier League promotion push, losing 1-0 at West Brom on Friday night. Their away form is a concern, and Leeds Live's United correspondent, Beren Cross, writes that Leeds' recent dip in form should force a rethink regarding a potentially quiet January.
Cross writes : "Given January is the only opportunity to conduct any business and get houses in order before the final push, there must be a temptation to re-evaluate the bases Leeds do and do not have covered... There is no need for major surgery to a squad which is only five points short of a two-points-per-game average, but a bit more than just a left-back could be a shrewd move. This Leeds squad is too good to keep winning only one of every five games and form will return, but the timing of this blip, on the eve of the window, feels too obvious to ignore."
With that in mind, talkSPORT reports that the club will battle Southampton for Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.
Read more here.
EFL 72 says:With minutes hard to come by at the resurgent Cherries, Brooks would be a quality signing for any Championship side - even on loan - and will want plenty of game time with a place in Wales' potential Euro 2024 squad at stake.
Sunderland eyeing National League starlet
Sunderland are well in with a shout of the Championship play-offs this term, but could do with some more firepower having been outscored by 11 rivals so far. Aldershot Town sensation Joshua Stokes has been turning heads with 15 goals since the summer, and TEAMtalk reports that Sunderland are keeping an eye on the 19-year-old along with Norwich, Ipswich, Derby, Charlton and AFC Wimbledon to name a few suitors.
EFL says:National League to Championship is a huge step up, but Stokes could be a cheap signing with an extremely high ceiling in the Black Cats want young talent on a budget.
Stoke want harder, better, faster, stronger players
Like any manager with ambition, Steven Schumacher is looking forward to January as Stoke City look to make some moves. Fitness looks like a key concern for the Potters as well, so any prospective signings are likely to have to be in prime condition to hit the ground running.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
"There are areas that we have already highlighted and players we know we would like to bring in. I also wanted to give everyone an opportunity to stake a claim… We haven't seen a load of them in training because we haven't done loads, we haven't had time to, but there's definitely areas in January we would look to strengthen. We need to get a little bit fitter, increase that tempo and intensity we can play at because that's how I want our team to play."
Read more here.
EFL 72 says:Stoke are hovering dangerously just three points above the Championship drop zone, so new players who can add some energy are desperately needed. The Potters haven’t lost in their last five games, but four draws and a win suggests they need a bit more quality in attack to get them over the line in tight games.
Loan fineprint explained for West Brom and Cardiff
When it comes to loan deals, always read the fine print. West Brom are finding that out to their peril as Karlan Grant has been in sensational form on loan at Cardiff City, though Wales Online reports that the Baggies do not have a recall clause in the deal. West Brom have injury problems up top but it looks like Grant will be staying put - though the tale took a fresh twist after Grant was taken off early during the Baggies’ Friday-night win over Leeds. Cardiff boss Erol Bulut was gloomy after the game, saying: “It’s a hamstring, maybe a rupture. It doesn’t look good. We will know more when he has the scan.”
Read more here.
EFL 72 says: Even if Grant had been available for a recall, the latest injury setback now means neither West Brom nor Cardiff will be able to play him for a few weeks at least.
Leicester to lose Belgian midfielder?
Leicester City's Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet is attracting interest from his homeland. With his future at the King Power uncertain, Praet has been linked to Royal Antwerp by Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. The 29-year-old has suffered from a back injury this season and is in the last six months of his deal, which means it is decision time for club and player.
Read more here.
EFL 72 says:A sale makes sense if Leicester feel they can cash in on Praet rather than lose him for nothing in the summer, though he could still prove useful during the run-in - and that may be worth more than any fee if he helps them win promotion back to the Premier League.
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