It has been another enthralling season in the Championship, featuring many eye-catching moments and brilliant individuals.
Many of those individuals have picked up suitors across the Premier League and other Europe’s top divisions.
In addition to Nottingham Forest’s Djed Spence, who has soaked up the limelight as one of the most sought-after Championship stars, we will look at the five most in-demand stars from England’s second-tier.
Spence has drawn attention from a host of Europe’s top clubs for his breathtaking displays on the right-back, but here are five other exciting Championship players that are expected to dominate the transfer news this summer.
#5 Isaiah Jones – Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough’s rising star Isaiah Jones has drawn an enquiry from Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
The quick-silver winger has enjoyed a stellar season at Riverside Stadium, establishing himself as one of Chris Wilder’s most trusted forwards.
Jones’ blistering pace and crossing ability have often been off the charts in England’s second-tier this term.
Despite only scoring once in the league so far, the 22-year-old has nine assists to his name.
#4 Ilias Chair – Queens Park Rangers
Even though Queens Park Rangers boss Les Ferdinand recently said his side would try to fend off suitors for their star players, Ilias Chair could leave the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in the summer.
The 24-year-old star has been QPR’s driving force this season, tallying eight goals and four assists across 31 Championship outings to keep his side in the play-off race.
Chair is a versatile midfielder, who can cover a multitude of roles in the middle of the park, but he is also comfortable playing on the left wing.
His versatility and tactical awareness, coupled with a pinpoint passing ability, have caught the eye of several Premier League clubs.
#3 John Swift – Reading
After failing to make a name for himself in Chelsea’s youth academy, John Swift has found his feet at Reading, growing into one of the finest playmakers in the Championship.
A quick-thinking attacking midfielder, Swift boasts supreme vision and inch-perfect passing, while he also has a keen eye for goal.
The 26-year-old has racked up an impressive 11 goals and 13 assists from 35 league appearances this season and has been a rare bright spot in the underperforming Royals side.
Crystal Palace were interested in signing Swift last summer, but they failed to complete the deal.
The Eagles’ hopes of landing the Englishman have taken a hit as Burnley, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all joined the pursuit of the ex-Stamford Bridge academy graduate.
#2 Ben Brereton Diaz – Blackburn Rovers
Ben Brereton Diaz has been one of the headline performers in the Championship this season, leading Blackburn Rovers’ play-off charges almost single-handedly.
The 22-year-old striker has scored 20 goals this term, with only Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke (23) and Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic (35) tallying more (see the full Championship top scorers list).
Brereton has been directly involved in 43% of Blackburn’s goals this season, earning a status of a fan favourite at Ewood Park.
However, the Chilean has only a few months left to run on his current contract in Lancashire, with no breakthrough in extension talks on the horizon.
Brereton’s impressive scoring output, coupled with his contractual uncertainty at Blackburn, has made him a concrete transfer target for Premier League relegation fighters Everton.
#1 Fabio Carvalho – Fulham
Championship leaders Fulham’s teenage sensation Fabio Carvalho was on the verge of signing a long-term contract at Liverpool this winter before the move collapsed at the 11th hour.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Championship, the 19-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, with a host of Europe’s top clubs vying for his signature.
Liverpool’s inability to close out the deal in January could come back to haunt them in the summer after AC Milan joined the race to land the Cottagers prodigy.
Carvalho has been in stellar form this season, racking up seven goals and six assists from 27 Championship appearances thus far.
Even though he has played a pivotal role in Fulham’s bid to ensure a swift top-flight return, the prodigious forward will not be playing at Craven Cottage next season.
