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Seven Championship players who could join Premier League clubs this summer

Everton, Southampton and Tottenham are among the clubs being linked with some of the Championship’s leading talents.

While Premier League clubs are linked with big-money moves for players around the world, they are also keeping an eye on the best emerging talent in England’s second tier.

We’ve taken a look at seven players who could be plying their trade in the top flight come the end of the summer.

David Brooks

Brooks developed the reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the Championship in the first half of last season at Sheffield United.

While the attacking midfielder’s season was ultimately disrupted by injury, his form pre-Christmas saw him break into the Wales side and catch the eye of Tottenham.

Now it appears the 20-year-old, who also spent time in Manchester City’s academy, is off to Bournemouth for £12million.

Ben Gibson

Chelsea and Liverpool were reportedly interested in Gibson during Middlesbrough’s 2016-17 campaign in the Premier League, when the defender earned a call up to the England squad.

The 25-year-old remained loyal to his boyhood club, despite their relegation, but “there is an unspoken recognition” he will move on this summer, according to the Teeside Gazette.

Everton and Southampton have been credited with interest in the centre-back, who’s departure is expected to be paved if Middlesbrough land Aden Flint from Bristol City.

Joe Bryan

Bryan stole the headlines earlier this season when he scored the opener in Bristol City’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the League Cup.

According to the Bristol Post, City are resigned to losing Bryan this summer and have already lined up Southampton’s Sam McQueen as his replacement.

Burnley and Everton have been linked with a £6million move for the left-back, who scored an impressive seven goals last term.

Pontus Jansson

Jansson has become a fan favourite at Leeds United since moving to Elland Road from Torino in the summer of 2016, and his displays in the Championship have led to repeated links with Southampton over the past 12 months.

A tough-tackling centre-half who is also comfortable on the ball, the 27-year-old has only added fuel to the fire in recent months, refusing to commit his future to the Whites.

At Sweden’s press day ahead of the World Cup, Jansson said: “There is interest. All I know is that I’m going to stay in England.

“It will be a lot for me to leave England. I really enjoy Leeds. But I want to see their ambitions, now is the time to get into the Premier League.”

Whether the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as manager is ambition enough to keep Jansson happy remains to be seen.

Jack Grealish

It feels a long time ago that Grealish was one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League, but the midfielder has rediscovered his mojo under Steve Bruce at Aston Villa over the past 18 months.

The 22-year-old’s form, plus Villa’s failure to win promotion and their ensuing financial troubles, means a number of clubs are queuing to sign the England Under-21 international.

Liverpool, Tottenham, Leicester and Everton have all been linked with Grealish, who is likely to cost in the region of £20million, despite initial reports suggesting Villa wanted closer to £40million.

 

Jarrod Bowen

Hull City may have endured a difficult season back in the Championship, flirting with relegation throughout, but Bowen was a constant bright spark.

Bowen was named both Players’ Player and Fans’ Player of the Year after bagging 15 goals, and The Sun suggest he is wanted by his former boss Marco Silva at Everton.

The 21-year-old made three appearances under Silva in 2017, and the Toffees are reportedly considering a £12million bid for the forward.

Tom Pearce

It has been a whirlwind few months for Pearce, who broke into Leeds’ first team in March, catching the eye at left-back, before winning the Toulon Tournament with England’s Under-21s this summer.

The 20-year-old’s contract at Elland Road was set to expire this summer, with former club Everton and Bournemouth reportedly monitoring the youngster, but he signed a new four-year deal in June.

While the news provoked much relief among Leeds supporters, the devil is in the detail, and the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay suggests Bournemouth and Crystal Palace remain interested in Pearce, albeit with the Whites now guaranteed a transfer fee.


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