It’s been a busy January so far in the EFL, with a number of clubs completing deals to strengthen their squad over the last week, and the transfer action shows no signs of slowing down.
Already we've seen the return of Billy Sharp to English shores as he joined Hull City following a brief stint with LA Galaxy. Chelsea's Alex Matos has also gone on loan to Huddersfield while Blackburn completed a double swoop for temporary deals involving Aston Villa's Benjamin Chrisene and Brighton's Yasin Ayari.
Here are the latest bits of gossip from the EFL rumour mill, along with expert analysis from our EFL 72 newsletter, which you can sign up to in the form below. By signing up, you’ll get the biggest EFL headlines sent straight to your inbox on a regular basis.
Leeds pushing for Carvalho deal
Leeds United are reportedly pushing hard in the sign Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool following the decision to recall the 21-year-old from his loan at RB Leipzig. A host of clubs are keen on taking Carvalho for the second half of the season but, according to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are aiming to get a deal done.
Carvalho, who can operate as both a winger and an attacking midfielder, is highly thought of but failed to find regular football in Germany, leading to Liverpool’s decision to cut his stay short. This has led to links to numerous clubs, including rumours that his boyhood club Fulham are interested in a loan deal.
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Also linked are the likes of Premier League Wolves and Leeds’ Championship rivals Southampton and Hull City but, with competition for Carvalho’s signature fierce, a key factor in who wins the race is likely to be which club can guarantee Liverpool that the youngster will get game time.
EFL 72 says:Carvalho’s appearances for Liverpool last season, with three goals in 21 games, were enough to show he is a player who would be an asset in the Championship, so it is easy to see why Leeds are keen on him. Yet can the Whites really guarantee Carvalho will get the sort of first-team football Liverpool want him to get? With the likes of Daniel James, Crysencio Summerville and Joel Piroe all in good form this season, it is difficult to see where Carvalho would fit into their starting XI.
Sunderland step up Moore pursuit
Sunderland are said to have stepped up their pursuit of in-demand Kieffer Moore, with the striker deemed surplus to requirements at Bournemouth. The 31-year-old has started just two games for the Cherries this season, both in cup competitions, with his seven Premier League appearances all coming from the bench.
The Sunday Mirror reports that seven Championship clubs are interested in Moore, with Cardiff City, Ipswich Town, Leeds United and Norwich City among those rivalling the Black Cats for the striker’s signature. Whilst Moore is available for a loan, reports claim Bournemouth would be open to selling and Sunderland are looking to put a package together to sign him.
Yet their interest is further complicated by the fact that Moore, who is keen for first-team football in the run-up to Wales’ Euro 24 play-off games, is said to favour a return to former club Cardiff, for whom he scored 25 goals in 64 league appearances between 2020 and 2022.
EFL 72 says:With so many clubs interested, this appears to be the sort of transfer saga that could run on throughout January. Moore has a strong track record at this level, so it’s easy to see why there is such a level of interest in him, especially from Sunderland, who have struggled for goals so far this season.
Bristol City boss on failed Azaz transfer chase
Liam Manning has opened up on Bristol City’s failed pursuit of Finn Azaz, following the young attacker’s move to Middlesbrough.
Boro won a hotly contested battle to sign Azaz from Aston Villa after the 23-year-old enjoyed an excellent first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, scoring seven goals and adding five assists.
The Robins had hoped to swoop in and seal the Ireland youth international’s signature, with Manning keen to add to his side’s attacking ranks following the departure of Alex Scott to Bournemouth late in the summer window, but they now have to move on to other targets.
Manning told Bristol Live: “I do think we lack a little bit of what I’d call an expert to play between the lines, in pockets. Finn was one we liked, that we were tracking.
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“He did well at Plymouth and obviously made his decision to go to Middlesbrough and I think that’s one where we have numerous options and we’re working hard on alternatives for that position. Going into the window we knew we had several targets to try and get.”
EFL 72 says:Alex Scott was a pivotal player for Bristol City last season and his £25m departure has left them without a genuine No. 10 for the first half of this campaign, with Jason Knight having to fill in despite being more naturally a box-to-box player. As such, it’s no wonder they were keen on Azaz, but Manning seems confident they will be able to add a player of a similar profile this month.
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