Leicester face contract chaos as Stephen Gerrard assistant takes EFL job
So, we're now a week into the January transfer window and EFL clubs across the country are completing deals left, right and centre as the clock ticks down before the end of the month.
Here are the latest transfer headlines, gossip and exclusive news for teams in the Championship, League One and League Two, along with transfer analysis from our EFL 72 team. You can also sign up for our EFL 72 newsletter below for daily updates straight to your inbox...
Maresca's Leicester contract stance
We may be in January but Leicester City appear to be in the midst of a contract crisis, with several first-team stars' deals running out at the end of the season - but boss Enzo Maresca says they won't be addressed until after the window has shut. Players with six months or less on their current deals can be approached by European clubs in this window, which would allow them to leave the Foxes on a free transfer in the summer.
Seven first-team stars, which include the likes of Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, are at risk of having their contract expire at the end of this season, with the latter two stand out as players expected to gather interest this month. However, Maresca has reiterated his stance on the matter, stating that the club will look at new deals in February or March and that he wants " all of them focused on this season on our targets."
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EFL 72 says:Contract situations like this are always a secondary factor when it comes to the January window but it's interesting to see Maresca's plan of action here. He's clearly confident that those at risk will want to stay or wait for an offer but he'll have to just hope that none of them receive an enticing offer at some point this month.
Gerrard's assistant quits to take Plymouth job
Plymouth Argyle fans were disappointed to see former boss Steven Schumacher take up the vacant role at Stoke last month but now they have a new boss in charge at Home Park. Joining the club from his position as assistant to Steven Gerrard at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, former England youth boss Ian Foster has been appointed as the Pilgrims' new manager.
The 47-year-old's contract length hasn't been revealed, although Plymouth describe his appointment as part of their "mission" for the next five years.
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EFL 72 says:Plymouth didn't rush when it came to appointing Schumacher's replacement and it's clear to see why. Foster has good pedigree when it comes to the England youth setup and the club wanted to select a candidate that was a good fit for their philosophy.
Luke Ayling is reportedly a Middlesbrough target Leeds stalwart's value outlined amid Boro speculation
Having already lost one right-back in this window, Leeds United could be set to lose another with long-term star Luke Ayling being linked with a move to Championship rivals Middlesbrough. Ayling, now 32, has struggled for game time under new boss Daniel Farke with the once Whites stalwart not featuring in any of the club's last 11 league matches.
However, despite the speculation, Farke has stated that no one in his current squad has asked to leave since the window opened earlier this month. Speaking at his press conference before the club's FA Cup fixture with Peterborough United he said: "I am not interested; I share quite often my appreciation of Luke and what I think about him and his value for us. I'm not going to comment on rumours. Each and every day there is a player connected with us."
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EFL 72 says:Ayling has been an almost ever-present for Leeds in both the Championship and Premier League in recent years but you wouldn't blame him for wanting to move given his lack of game time under his new boss. Middlesbrough would appear to be a solid option for him if he was to move on with Michael Carrick's side aiming to be in and around the play-offs come the end of the season.
Answers won't all be found in transfer market insists Stoke boss
Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher believes his side can make improvements on the pitch without having to rely too much on this month's transfer market. The Potters have already brought in Danish goalkeeper Daniel Iversen on loan from Leicester and have other areas, such as left-back, high up on their list of transfer priorities.
But despite admitting that he will need to do some work in this window to get improvements, the new Stoke boss explained that some of their goals can be achieved in training. “I keep saying all the time, I think there's a good squad in here," he told Stoke-on-Trent Live. " There's definitely talent, but there's areas as well that I think we can probably look to try to tweak things. It won't be a drastic overhaul, I don't think it needs that. It needs a little bit of stability."
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EFL 72 says:Steven Schumacher has already made an impression during his short time in the Potteries, taking his new team on a six-game unbeaten run. Fans will be encouraged that he knows where he will have to go in the market to improve, but will hopefully also be impressed with his belief that he can turn around the squad that he inherited.
Huddersfield make second signing
Huddersfield Town have secured their second signing of the January transfer window by bringing in striker Bojan Radulovic from Finnish side HJK Helsinki. The 24-year-old has joined the club for an undisclosed fee in what will be his second spell in English football, having already played for Brighton between 2018 and 2020.
Radulovic, who was born in Spain but has featured for Serbia at youth level, scored 36 goals in 78 appearances for the Finnish champions and becomes the club's second signing of the window after the loan signing of Alex Matos from Chelsea. Following his arrival in Yorkshire, Terriers boss Darren Moore said: “Arriving at a really exciting time in his career with a consistent goalscoring record at an impressive level of competition, I’m excited to start working with him straight away and see what we can have him bring to the side as soon as possible.”
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EFL 72 says: It didn't quite work out for Radulovic at Brighton a few years ago but he has since gone on to earn a decent reputation in Finland. Huddersfield have struggled for goals in what has been a disappointing season so far in the Championship, so could he help to turn their fortunes around?
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