02 January 2024 , 06:00
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Shake off those New Year's cobwebs and buckle up - the January transfer window is officially open!
Yes, 2024 has arrived - and the first port of call for many fans of EFL clubs will be seeing what sort of business their teams can do this month to keep promotion pushes on track, arrest alarming slides or get them out of the muck. Read on for today's top transfer news and rumours for Championship, League One and League Two clubs with analysis from our EFL 72 team. Sign up to the EFL 72 newsletter below...
Leicester target Liverpool wonderkid
January is an excellent time for EFL clubs to get some of the Premier League's best young talent in on loan, and Leicester look set to take advantage. Liverpool wonderkid Fabio Carvalho had his loan spell at RB Leipzig cut short by Jurgen Klopp due to a lack of minutes at the Bundesliga club, and Sky Sports now reports Leicester are interested in a temporary deal for the Portuguese winger.
EFL 72 says:Carvalho is bursting with talent, but did not get nearly enough minutes in Leipzig. Leicester could be the perfect place to showcase what he can do with the team dominating the division, which would allow him plenty of time on the ball. A deal suits all parties if the Foxes can promise game time, but would Liverpool rather send him elsewhere for guaranteed starts?
Read more here.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Meanwhile, the Foxes have been boosted by the news that Abdul Fatawu has missed out on Ghana's African Cup of Nations squad. That is bad news for Fatawu, but it means that the in-form winger is available at a crucial time for Leicester over the next five weeks.
Read more here.
Wrexham outline 2024 plans with double deal
Wrexham AFC are on the up and up, sitting third in League Two in the battle for automatic promotion to League One as the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny era shows no signs of slowing. In true Hollywood fashion, the club announced two key deals at one minute past midnight on New Year's Day, confirming contract extensions for back-to-back player of the season Paul Mullin and this season's top scorer Elliot Lee - a statement of intent for 2024.
EFL 72 says:Bet against Wrexham at your peril. With two of the division's top players now re-signed and settled in Wales, that's arguably the best business they could have done in January - and now the club can focus on incomings to boost their chances of a second promotion in two years.
Read more here.
Wrexham continue to break records under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Getty)West Brom loanee exits
West Brom have confirmed an exit on the first day of the January window, with Jeremy Sarmiento returning to his parent club Brighton and Hove Albion. The 21-year-old made 21 appearances for the Baggies, and the club now have intentions to replace Sarmiento, who wished the club well in a goodbye message on Instagram.
EFL says:It remains to be seen whether Sarmiento will be loaned out again or stay at Brighton given their injury concerns, but West Brom will need to look at an extra body to replace him to keep their promotion push on track.
Read more here.
Gnonto offered Leeds escape route
Another deal, another Leeds United exit story. Bild reports Wilfried Gnonto could be offered an Elland Road escape route by Freiburg. The Lilywhites resisted a £25m offer from Everton in the summer, though Gnonto's fall from grace this term means a £15m offer could be enough to seal a Bundesliga move for the 20-year-old.
EFL 72 says:It is always tricky selling underperforming youngsters, and Gnonto may end up being worth a lot more than £15m if he hits the ground running in Germany. It may be worth selling if they can negotiate a hefty sell-on clause, or loaning Gnonto out to refind his form and boost his price for the summer - but Leeds need signings now, and £15m could go a long way in a promotion push.
Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes
Read more here.
Hull line up Premier League winger
We have an exclusive via Hull Live that Hull City are in talks with Burnley winger Manuel Benson regarding a loan move this month. Meanwhile, coach Liam Rosenior has set out the club's January transfer plans and expects a busy month - and hasn't ruled out signing goalkeeping cover following the injury to Ryan Allsop.
EFL 72 says:Benson scored 14 goals and notching six assists in all competitions during the Clarets' Championship-winning 2022/23 season, and would add some much-needed quality for Hull.
Read more here.
Boro looking at 'the bigger picture'
Michael Carrick could be building something special at Middlesbrough, and his latest transfer hint suggests he will not be sucked into panic-buying this month. With Boro just three points off the top six heading into 2024, Carrick told reporters: "It’s got to fit. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction... it’s about the bigger picture and it wouldn’t be a quick fix until the end of the season."
EFL 72 says:Wise words from Carrick given Boro have over-relied on loan signings in the past. He needs a stable squad who buy into his methods, though it'll be interesting to see if they can be tempted into any late deals if they're still hovering outside the promotion places come the end of the window.
Read more here.