This list of the top 2023 Championship summer transfers includes two Leicester additions, as well as Coventry’s replacement for Viktor Gyokeres…
10) Tom Ince (£50,000, Reading to Watford)
After contributing 13 goals during Reading’s relegation season, the experienced Championship attacker was certain to stumble.
And this is a well-deserved step up for Ince, who joins a club he has tortured throughout his career with five goals and four assists in nine matches against the Hornets.
If the 31-year-old can replicate this form while wearing a Watford shirt, Valerien Ismael’s side will have a winner on their hands. They’ve also benefited from a ridiculously low relegation exit clause.
9) Karlan Grant (on loan from West Brom to Cardiff City)
While I enraged many Cardiff fans by predicting that returning star Aaron Ramsey would be a disappointment next season, I believe Grant will fare far better for the Welsh club.
The 25-year-old striker, who joined West Brom for £15 million in 2020, has had a mixed time in the Midlands following a 19-goal season for Huddersfield Town in 2019/20. Despite this, he still has a decent Championship record with 41 goals and 11 assists in 140 appearances.
Grant has always delivered when trusted and plays consistently in the second division, and as far as striker loanees go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more experienced alternative than the Cardiff newcomer at this level. While they are likely to struggle and be in the relegation zone again, his goal-scoring ability could be a game-changer.
8) Kevin Nisbet (£2 million transfer from Hibernian to Millwall)
Nisbet is a striker with no Championship experience, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an intriguing addition for Gary Rowett’s team.
Millwall broke their transfer record for Zian Flemming (who was bloody great) last summer, and they have broken it again with a rumoured £2m cost for Nisbet, who scored 12 goals in 20 appearances for Hibernian during an injury-plagued season in 2022/23.
Seventeen-goal Last season, Millwall almost missed out on the play-offs due to Tom Bradshaw’s prolific scoring. However, the 22/23 season demonstrated that they are progressively improving, and the addition of Nisbet should enable the Lions ultimately finish in the top six this time around.
7) Joe Bryan (free move from Fulham to Millwall)
While Nisbet is a terrific signing for Millwall’s attacking department, Bryan is a clear upgrade over 32-year-old Scott Malone, whom the Lions decided to release after his contract expired.
Bryan dropped down the Fulham pecking order prior to his horrific loan spell at Nice (where he made just ten games in 22/23), but he was one of the better left-backs in the Championship during his time at Bristol City.
He returns to the second tier with a point to prove after hardly getting a sniff last season, and if he can shine like he did at Bristol City, he will be an excellent free agent for Millwall.
6) Ellis Simms (£3.5 million transfer from Everton to Coventry City)
There was always going to be some high-profile departures at Coventry this summer after losing in the Championship play-off final. Gyokeres has joined Sporting Lisbon for £17.5 million plus add-ons (and Gustavo Hamer is expected to follow).
The process of replacing Gyokeres was never going to be easy, and Mark Robins’ side ultimately decided to invest £3.5m (£8m including add-ons) on Simms.
Those who criticize Coventry for paying such a high sum for Simms must forget that they still have a lot of money left over from the Gyokeres deal, and the ex-Everton man – who excelled when on loan at Sunderland last season (seven goals and two assists in 17 games) – still has a lot of potential.
5) Ethan Laird (£750,000 from Manchester United to Birmingham City)
Birmingham City are vying with Leicester City for the title of Championship summer transfer window greatest winners.
Among their notable arrivals this summer are Krystian Bielik, Koji Miyoshi, and Siriki Dembele, but Laird is undoubtedly their biggest signing to yet.
The arrival of their new American owners before next season has benefited the Blues, but they have used their newfound cash wisely through shrewd business. Manchester United Academy product Laird distinguished out in a dismal QPR team last season and is well-positioned to establish himself as one of the top wing-backs in the Championship this season.
4) Rob Dickie (£1 million transfer from QPR to Bristol City)
After doing just enough to remain up last season, QPR’s financial difficulties have forced Dickie and Seny Dieng to be sold to Bristol City and Middlesbrough for about £3 million each.
Dickie’s departure is especially painful because he was one of their better performances last season, and Bristol City would have had to pay a far higher cost for him had QPR been in a healthier financial situation.
Bristol City are having a good window, with monies paid to sign Ross McCrorie and Jason Knight from Aberdeen and Derby County, respectively.
3) Callum Doyle (on loan from Manchester City to Leicester City)
As the summer transfer window progressed, it became clear that Leicester City would be the overwhelming favorite to win the Championship in 2022/23.
The Foxes are preparing for a quick return to the Premier League under Pep Guardiola’s pupil Enzo Maresca. Conor Coady, their new addition, will be crucial both on and off the field this season, and he will accompany Doyle in defense.
Man City appear to have an unlimited supply of great young players, and Doyle is one of the best. The centre-back, who starred while on loan at Coventry last season, is a significant acquisition for Leicester, and the 19-year-old will be hoping to add Championship promotion to his résumé this season.
2) Ryan Manning (free move from Swansea City to Southampton)
The 27-year-old’s recent switch from central midfielder to left wing-back has been important in his development, and his 15-goal contribution season for Swansea City last season set him up for a huge move elsewhere.
This was made easier by the fact that his contract with the Welsh club was about to expire this summer, and while he deserves a shot in the Premier League, he has chosen to reconnect with recently left Swans boss Russell Martin at relegated Southampton.
Manning was perhaps the greatest Championship free agent available this summer, and Southampton did exceptionally well to secure him.
1) Harry Winks (£10 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Leicester City)
Many people were surprised when Winks’ transfer to Leicester City was first disclosed, since many expected him to join a rival Premier League team if he left Tottenham this summer.
The England international, on the other hand, has been enticed to join a club in a league where he will be the big fish. And, no doubt, the large sums of money he’s likely been offered aided in closing the sale.
Leicester’s statement signing sent an early message to potential promotion opponents that they mean business under Maresca. And it would take a massive f*** up for them not to be promoted with Winks and other Premier League-caliber players on their roster.
Leave a Reply