EFL Transfer Notebook: Battle for Boro star as Wrexham sent financial warning
We are heading towards the midway point of this year's January transfer window, with EFL clubs up and down the country aiming to get important business done before time runs out on February 1.
Here are a selection of today's top transfer headlines from clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two, accompanied by analysis from our EFL72 team. You can also sign-up to the daily EFL72 newsletter below...
Prem trio interested in cup star
Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney made headlines for his side this week by scoring the winner in Boro's shock 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory on Tuesday and it appears that his recent performances haven't gone unnoticed.
According to a report from the Evening Standard, Premier League side Tottenham are the latest club to show interest in the 21-year-old, with rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all also thought to be thinking of a move. However, it is believed that a move for Hackney will be more likely in the summer window, unless Michael Carrick's side receive a sensational offer for one of their key players.
EFL 72 says:Carrick has been instrumental in Hackney's development at the Riverside and will be gutted to lose a player of his quality mid-season, especially after his performance against Chelsea. However, you'd think a substantial offer would be hard to turn down and it just depends on whether one of those Premier League sides are willing to part with their cash.
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Top flight clubs queuing up for Clarke
Another Championship star currently being tracked by Premier League clubs is Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, who was yesterday linked with a move to West Ham. However, it has since been revealed that fellow London clubs, Crystal Palace and Brentford, are interested in a deal for the 23-year-old.
A report in the Evening Standard states that the three London clubs are amongst five top flight sides tracking Clarke in this window, with Burnley reportedly having had a £15m bid rejected for him last summer. Sunderland will no doubt want to keep hold of who many consider to be the club's main man, but it is believed that a bid north of £20m could tempt them into negotiations.
EFL 72 says:As we've mentioned previously. Clarke is one of the league's leading players and it is no surprise to see a queue of Premier League clubs emerging for his signature. Even if he remains in the North East post-January, it would be a real surprise to see him stay in the Championship next season so it could be a matter of holding out for the right price.
Wrexham sent transfer warning
Wrexham are in a strong position in League Two so far this season as they aim for back-to-back promotions but have been warned that certain transfer targets won't come cheap in this month's window. The Red Dragons, who are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have been linked with moves for established EFL forwards Jonson Clarke-Harris and Lee Gregory, as they try to get out of League Two at the first time of asking.
However, whilst either striker would represent a strong signing in the fourth tier, the club have been warned over the finances that a move of that level would take. Speaking to Football League World, former England star Carlton Palmer said: "Both players won’t come cheap, but if they are retained by their clubs until the end of the season, Wrexham would have two gifted League One strikers and only have their wages to find, which won’t be cheap."
EFL 72 says: Wrexham have already pulled off some big signings under their Hollywood regime but either of these strikers would be their biggest yet. Both have good, proven records in divisions higher than League Two and would therefore cost a bit if they are to make it to North Wales. However, making a statement signing like this would surely put them on course to League One.
Jack ClarkeClarke attracts more top flight suitors
Another Championship star currently being tracked by Premier League clubs is Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, who was yesterday linked with a move to West Ham. However, it has since been revealed that fellow London clubs, Crystal Palace and Brentford, are interested in a deal for the 23-year-old.
A report in the Evening Standard states that the three London clubs are amongst five top flight sides tracking Clarke in this window, with Burnley reportedly having had a £15m bid rejected for him last summer. Sunderland will no doubt want to keep hold of who many consider to be the club's main man, but it is believed that a bid north of £20m could tempt them into negotiations.
EFL 72 says:As we've mentioned previously. Clarke is one of the league's leading players and it is no surprise to see a queue of Premier League clubs emerging for his signature. Even if he remains in the North East post-January, it would be a real surprise to see him stay in the Championship next season so it could be a matter of holding out for the right price.
Wolves explain loan decision
One of the window's more controversial deals so far has been Wolves ' decision to recall midfielder Luke Cundle from Plymouth Argyle and instead send him to former Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher at Stoke City. The 21-year-old completed a move to the bet365 Stadium on Tuesday, causing a little bit of uproar in the South West regarding the decision.
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However, Wolves youth pathways manager Steve Davis believes the move to the Potteries will be beneficial for Cundle's development. He said: "Schumacher took him to Plymouth in the summer and wanted that type of player at Stoke, which was a big factor for Luke. He knows what he needs at Stoke and felt Luke could help them to be creative and add a goal threat.
"Luke had a really good spell at Plymouth, so there was no rush to take him away, but things moved quickly, and Luke wanted to give it a go there."
EFL 72 says:Steven Schumacher will no doubt be delighted to add a player who's totally familiar with his style of play into his new squad at Stoke. However, you can understand the Plymouth faithful's outrage given the slow dismantling of their first-team over the past couple of weeks - losing both Cundle and Finn Azaz to Championship rivals in the same window.
Derby signings 'so close'
Derby boss Paul Warne was in a bullish mood as he faced the press on Wednesday, confirming that the Rams are "so close" to making multiple signings - but acknowledged key issues which might scupper his plans. Warne wants a striker and a winger this month, with the home defeat to Bradford City highlighting the need for more goals in a tight battle for promotion to the Championship.
The manager said of Derby's transfer plans: "They have got to be affordable, available and the club has got to allow them to come here. If you don't get all three you can't get them. You might get two out of three and on some you might be nearly there."We are so close with a couple and I am really confident that we will get at least two in.
"At the top end of the pitch is where we need it. Until all the boxes are ticked you just can't make it happen. That's the truth."
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