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We're almost halfway through the January transfer window, and there are more than a few transfer stories coming out of the English Championship. The Winter window is always an important time for Championship teams as they can re-evaluate their squads and dot the I's and dash the T's. Clubs like Leeds United and Sheffield United will be looking to buy players to boost their chances of Promotion while the likes of Reading and Ipswitch Town will be getting players in to inspire the side to get out of the relegation zone.
So here are the top stories from the Championship!
#5 Hull City to sign Cardiff centre-back Matthew Connolly
Hull City Manager, Nigel Adkins admitted on Thursday that a deal for Cardiff centre-back Matthew Connolly is in the process and should be completed soon. Connolly has played zero Premier League minutes for Neil Warnock's Cardiff and has been reduced to a rotation player. The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of the Season, and he is desperate to make the switch to Hull City. Connolly's only appearance for Cardiff this Season came way back in August in the EFL Cup against Norwich City which eventually ended in defeat.
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Hull City will be pleased to acquire the Englishman's services as he already has been a part of four Championship sides, QPR, Reading, Watford and Cardiff, all of whom eventually got promoted to the Premier League. Connolly is a direct replacement for Tommy Elphick who has been called up by parent Club Aston Villa. Adkins will be hoping to seal this transfer as soon as possible and then move on to acquiring a winger in their pursuit to push higher than 13th place.
#4 Liverpool looking to loan out Ben Woodburn after Sheffield debacle
Liverpool's 19-year-old attacker, Ben Woodburn had to cut-short his Loan at Sheffield United due to a lack of game time and an ankle injury. The Welsh International is responding well to his treatment and according to Liverpool Echo, the club have a host of Championship clubs looking to sign him on loan. Brentford, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers are looking to sign the teenager and give him regular game time.
Liverpool would be adamant on finding the right fit for their talented youngster considering his last loan move with Sheffield wasn't fruitful. Woodburn moved to Sheffield United on loan in the summer and failed to break into Chris Wilder's team, managing to make only eight appearances in all competitions. Woodburn is very highly rated by Jurgen Klopp and it will be paramount that the club make the right decision in order to continue the player's development.
#3 Swansea manager Graham Potter talks about transfer difficulties
After spending 7 years in the Premier League, Swansea City were relegated to the Championship last season. The club had to sell several senior first-team players and are now finding it hard to cope with the financial aspect of the Championship having been accustomed to the financial windfall of the Premier League.
Club manager Graham Potter spoke about the financial struggles of the Championship and more. "The reality of it is, there's a financial situation we have to deal with, there are always players you're aware you could go for - but it's not just a computer game, it's linked to the realities of the financial situation of the club which I'm not in total control of," said Graham Potter.
"That was never going to get fixed in one transfer window - we're still dealing with that now (relegation) and that makes it even more difficult to externally strengthen. We'll try to do our best, re-balance the team and players who need another challenge. There may be things there, but my number one focus is to work with the guys we have here and make improvements."
#2 Leeds United could go for Kilmarnock striker Eamonn Brophy
Championship League Leaders, Leeds United, are reportedly keen on acquiring the services of Kilmarnock striker Eamonn Brophy. The Scott has scored 8 goals this season and has contributed to his club's immense success this season. Kilmarnock at 41 points are just one point off of League Leaders Celtic and Rangers who are tied at 42 points.
The 22-year-old is a former Celtic trainee and has caught the eye of Leeds Manager Marcelo Bielsa who believes that Brophy is well within their budget. Brophy is yet to represent the senior Scottland side and has only made one appearance for the Under-21 Scottish team. But given his tremendous Goalscoring record this season, expect the Glasgow-born striker to break into the national team. Leeds have approximately three weeks before the window closes and should look to acquire the player in order to boost their hopes of promotion.
#1 Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham to leave the Premiership?
Tammy Abraham moved to Aston Villa from Chelsea on a Loan deal and has been very impressive, Abraham has gone on to score 16 goals in 20 Championship games and is the club's highest goalscorer this season. At 21, Abraham scoring record is immensely impressive and expectedly a few Premier League clubs came knocking on Chelsea's door to seal a loan for the England international.
Wolverhampton Wanderers had reportedly attempted to sign the striker but had an offer rejected and so it was assumed that Abraham would play out his loan at Aston Villa. Fresh reports have now emerged claiming that Crystal Palace are now in for Abraham and his goalscoring form has convinced parent club Chelsea to give him game time in the Premier League. With all this speculation surrounding Abraham, it's unlikely that he would be a Championship player by the end of the Window.
