Liverpool target Championship transfer after Fabio Carvalho slammed by director
The January transfer window continues to gather pace, not least in the EFL, with clubs across the country racing to get those all-important deals over the line for the second half of the season.
Here are some of today's top transfer headlines for clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two, alongside analysis from our EFL72 team. You can also sign-up to the EFL72 newsletter for daily updates throughout the transfer window...
Bristol City close to sealing Twine transfer
Burnley midfielder Scott Twine looks set to be on his way out of Turf Moor and on his way to Bristol City this month, with the Robins reportedly "very close" to announcing a new arrival. Twine has spent the first half of the season on-loan at fellow Championship side Hull City, scoring four times in 26 appearances across all competitions.
Scott Twine is set to be on the move this month (George Wood/Getty)However, Bristol Live understands that the 24-year-old has been at Bristol City's High Performance Centre to finalise a move to the club on-loan with an option to buy and could be available for selection as early as this weekend's fixture with Watford. When asked about a potential move, Manning was reluctant to share any specific details but stated that the prospect of potential incomings was "hopefully close".
The likely arrival of Twine could be coordinated with the departure of Andi Weimann with the City captain having been in talks with West Brom , with his first-team opportunities in Bristol reducing.
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EFL72 says:“It was seen as an impressive move when Hull managed to tie down the services of Twine in the summer but you suspect this switch could be to do with the Tigers' recent moves in the January window - most notably with Fabio Carvalho. Bristol City will no doubt be excited to get a player of his quality through the door, though, he will be quite the asset if he can rediscover the form he showed at MK Dons. a few seasons ago."
Liverpool weigh up Sunderland move
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has emerged as a potential summer transfer target for Liverpool. The 23-year-old has been an ever-present for the Black Cats so far this season and was a key figure in last season's run to the Championship play-offs.
However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly identified him as a possible back-up to Brazilian keeper Alisson Becker for next season - with The reporting that the Reds fear they could lose current No 2 Caoimhin Kelleher to Celtic in the summer.
Interest in Patterson could peak this summer, who is currently contracted until 2028, especially if fail to win promotion to the Premier League under Michael Beale.
EFL72 says:“Patterson has been very impressive during his time in the North East so far and was a vital part of the side that reached the play-offs last season. Sunderland are unlikely to want to lose him at all but if an offer from the likes of Liverpool were to come in, you'd think it would be hard for the club to stand in his way should he want to leave."
Carvalho slammed by Leipzig chief
As mentioned previously, Liverpool midfielder Fabio Carvalho cut his loan to German club RB Leipzig short this month, instead joining Championship club Hull on a deal until the end of the season. The switch has been seen as a bit of a coup for the Yorkshire club but back in Germany, however, it has sparked some debate - most notably from his previous club's sporting director.
The 21-year-old was restricted to just 158 minutes in East Germany, unable to push in front of the likes of Dani Olmo and Lois Openda in the pecking order. And after moving to the Tigers to further his development, Sporting Director Rouven Schroder admits he didn't appear up for the fight.
He told RB Live : "We made a conscious decision to go with Fabio last summer. He had a great season with Fulham in the English second division, which is very physical. We had said to ourselves: great talent, good age, has already gained his experience.
"Nevertheless, you don't get to know a player as an end product until he's there. Fabio has a great character. But he realized: 'Okay, there's a competitor here, I need to do more!' And we noticed that he didn't want to face the competition."
EFL72 says:“There's no doubt Hull fans will be excited to see what Carvalho can do in a Tigers shirt but there will be some Liverpool supporters who wonder what went wrong in Germany. A loan to Leipzig showed how highly rated he is at Anfield but maybe that was a step to far at this point in his career."
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Big admission made over James transfer
Jordan James is attracting interest from Italy (Image: Mark Kerton/REX/Shutterstock)Birmingham midfielder Jordan James has already been subject to much transfer speculation this month, with Serie A side Atalanta reportedly battling for his signature. However, new Blues boss Tony Mowbray has insisted even if the club are not against selling the Welsh youngster, they may still demand a premium fee.
The 19-year-old has scored six goals in the Championship this season, stepping off the bench to score a 95th minute equaliser for Birmingham against Swansea last weekend. It's understood that Atalanta have already had three bids pushed back by the Blues so far, with the club holding firm for a hefty fee.
“At this moment I’ve got nothing for you, really,” Mowbray told reporters following his sides draw at St Andrews. “Is there anything going on? Nothing that I can tell you at the moment but I wouldn’t rule anything off the table."
EFL72 says:“We've spoken about this deal a few times already this month and expect it to go the wire if anything is going to happen in this window. Birmingham will want to get the best deal possible and will hold out for that fee, but it is starting to sound like a when not if sort of situation."
Leeds star on rivals' list
Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt remains on the list for a potential January exit, with several Championship clubs reportedly chasing his services. In a report from journalist Alan Nixon, via his , the 21-year-old has now been linked with a move to West Brom, with both Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers also interested - as well as Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.
Gelhardt has been given limited minutes under new manager Daniel Farke and that has resulted in interest arriving from numerous clubs. The England under-21 international is under contract at Elland Road until 2027 although he now faces a big decision with his minutes in Yorkshire unknown.
EFL72 says:“Gelhardt has struggled to break into the Leeds squad under Farke after spending some time with Sunderland last season to help his development. He's still only 21 and has a lot of potential but he may have to make the move away from Elland Road if he is going to realise that in the Championship on a regular basis any time soon."
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