Best Championship players: 10 who could move to the Premier League in January
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The January transfer window is about to open and that could mean a dream move to the Premier League for some of the best Championship players.
We have already looked back at previous players that have made the step up from the EFL to the top flight in recent years.
Now our attention turns to this transfer window as we highlight 10 players that could be on the move out of the Championship.
Ben Brereton Diaz
Adding ‘Diaz’ to his name has worked wonders for the Blackburn striker, who has been one of the best Championship players in the first half of the campaign.
When simply known as Brereton, he only managed 17 goals in 133 games but he made his international debut for Chile in the summer and has never looked back, scoring more goals this season than in the rest of his career.
Blackburn are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League but the 22-year-old could get there before them, with his performances attracting plenty of interest from top-flight clubs.
Lewis O’Brien
Sorba Thomas has been the breakout star of the season for Huddersfield but his team-mate O’Brien looks more likely to be on the move in January.
The Terriers rejected bids for the central midfielder from neighbours Leeds in the summer and the 23-year-old instead signed a contract extension until 2025.
The injury problems at Elland Road could force Leeds to renew their interest and O’Brien can only have impressed Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa with his energetic performances this season.
Brennan Johnson
Brentford failed with a bid for the Nottingham Forest winger in the summer but are rumoured to be preparing to make a fresh offer in January.
Recent speculation suggests the Bees are willing to offer £14million for the player but Forest will be determined to keep their prize asset as they push for promotion.
Johnson, the son of former Ipswich and Forest striker David Johnson, has impressed both for his club and Wales in recent months.
John Swift
Reading’s financial situation could mean they are unable to turn down offers for their best players and Swift has been their standout performer this season.
The midfielder has been one of the most creative players in the Championship and has chipped in with important goals too, including seven in his first seven appearances of the season.
The Chelsea academy product is out of contract in the summer and the Royals may opt to cash in while they can.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Mitrovic only managed three goals for Fulham as they were relegated from the Premier League last season but has been inspired since dropping back down to the second tier and he is undoubtedly one of the best Championship players.
Mitrovic doubles Fulham's lead ✅✅
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The Serbia striker already has more than 20 goals for the Cottagers, including hat-tricks against Swansea and West Brom, and could be on for a record-breaking campaign if he remains at Fulham but he would be an obvious target for any Premier League club looking to boost their attacking threat.
Sam Johnstone
The West Brom goalkeeper has remained part of the England squad despite dropping down to the Championship.
A return to the top flight would be a big boost to his hopes of featuring at next winter’s World Cup and he is currently 1/2 to be on the plane to Qatar.
Johnstone is in the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns so Albion could lose him for nothing at the end of the season if no new deal is agreed by then and they may be forced to consider offers for the player in January.
Philip Billing
Billing has already had a taste of Premier League football with Huddersfield and Bournemouth and has spoken of his desire to return to the level where he believes he belongs, saying: “My huge dream is to play for a big club one day.”
The Cherries are firmly in the mix for promotion and could soon be back in the Premier League but the Denmark international may not be able to resist a big-money move in January, especially if it means being reunited with former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe at Newcastle.
Gustavo Hamer
Coventry have been one of the surprise success stories of the season and will not want to lose any key players at this stage but they may need to fend off interest for Hamer.
The Brazil-born Netherlands international has been superb for the Blues and the attendance of Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard and his assistant Gary McAllister prompted speculation that Hamer is a target for their midlands rivals.
Steve Cook
The stalwart defender looks set to leave Bournemouth after more than a decade at the club.
The 30-year-old, who has made 388 appearances for the Cherries, was not included in the matchday squad for the recent game at QPR after manager Scott Parker revealed there is “definitely interest” in the player.
A reunion with Howe at Newcastle, who are short of defenders, is a possibility.
Keane Lewis-Potter
Lewis-Potter was one of the star men as Hull won promotion from League One last season and the 20-year-old left winger has looked just as comfortable in his first campaign in the Championship.
Hull turned down an £8million offer from Brentford in the summer and his price tag is more likely to be double that now.
Jarrod Bowen has impressed at West Ham after leaving Hull and Lewis-Potter could follow a similar path to the Premier League.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
