24 January 2024 , 05:30
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The January transfer window is showing signs of sparking into life for EFL clubs as we enter the final stretch.
All 72 clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two are seeking signings as the pressure mounts, fans hungry for the latest news, rumours and gossip - and we are on hand to help sift fact from fiction as we look at the latest January transfer window updates up and down the EFL ladder.
Here is the latest edition of our EFL transfer notebook along with insight from the EFL72 newsletter, which you can sign up to using the form below...
Breakthrough in Boro saga
Morgan Rogers to Aston Villa is emerging as one of the big stories of a quiet January transfer window - and there could be major movement at Middlesbrough soon. Football Insider reports that Boro could accept a bid in the region of £10-12million after rejected multiple previous offers. Boro are said to be driving a 'hard bargain' given they are reluctant to lose a key player mid-season, while Manchester City will be due a substantial sell-on fee for the 21-year-old, complicating matters further - but it looks as though a deal is in sight if Villa stump up the cash.
EFL72 says:It makes perfect sense for Boro to get a premium: nobody wants to lose a top young talent in the winter, and Villa will rightly have to pay up - but they could have a real gem on their hands.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Amad future now clear
Amad is a top target for a few Championship clubs given his sparkling Sunderland loan spell last season, though prising him away from Manchester United again this January looks a tall order. The winger has been linked with a return to the Black Cats, while the likes of Boro and Leicester are also said to be interested. Amad has been spotted back in United training recently, and the Manchester Evening News reports that Erik ten Hag has "... decided to keep Amad around the first team" to fight for starts on the right against Alejandro Garnacho and Antony. Things could still change between now and the end of the January window, but it could be tough to tempt United at this point.
EFL72 says:Amad's situation at United is a peculiar one. He is not going to get minutes unless there's an injury crisis or Ten Hag decides to sell or bench Antony, so another loan move would make sense for his development. Perhaps a late push from a Championship club could get a deal over the line?
Hull in 'final' stages of £5m coup
Ryan Giles has been linked with a move to a host of Championship clubs, and Hull City look set to win the race for the Luton Town defender's signature ahead of Leeds United. Football League World reports that the Tigers are 'ironing out the final details' of a £5m deal; another January coup for the club after signing Fabio Carvalho on loan from Liverpool.
EFL72 says:Giles could be a potential steal for Hull. £5m isn't cheap for a left-back, but he was superb on loan fopr Middlesbrough last season so is well proven at this level.
EFL chief calls out Premier League
Rick Parry does not sound happy with the Premier League and has turned up the heat on the top flight in order to reach a financial deal for the EFL. Government sources suggest the Football Governance Bill is in the "absolute final stages" before it heads to Parliament, though EFL chair Parry insists that the Premier League has missed the boat when it comes to striking a deal in a timely manner, adding: "This is about desire and priority." Ouch.
EFL72 says:Parry's words will strike a chord with many fans of clubs up and down the EFL pyramid, with the sense that the Premier League is only acting now there is plenty of focus on finance in football.
Wrexham target cut-price forward
Wrexham have the backing of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, and are on the hunt for more firepower to propel their League Two promotion push. TEAMTalk reports that the Welsh club want Wigan striker Stephen Humphrys, who is in the final six months of his contract - and that could entice the Latics to sell now rather than lose the ex-Fulham forward for nothing.
EFL72 says:As Wrexham seek to climb the EFL pyramid, they will find it harder to make their money count against more established clubs - so deals like these could present real value for money to build a team that's ready for League One football.