The transfer window opens for EFL clubs on June 1, and Championship teams are plotting their moves ahead of a busy summer.
Some clubs, notably Preston North End and Norwich City, have already made their first signings. Preston confirmed the capture of Daniel Iversen, while Jacob Wright joined Norwich permanently from Manchester City.
Elsewhere, losing play-off finalists Sheffield United are interested in Jack Rudoni as a potential replacement for the influential Gustavo Hamer.
Championship clubs will be scouring the Premier League for the best young talent, either to sign on loan or permanently.
Chelsea are a team known for sending their youngsters to the second tier, and one midfield gem could exit Stamford Bridge this summer.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Championship clubs queuing up to sign Chelsea midfielder Leo Castledine
According to The Mirror, clubs in the second tier are lining up to sign Chelsea youngster Leo Castledine, with the Blues ready to sanction a permanent exit for the promising England under-19 star.
Castledine made his senior debut for the Premier League giants in the Carabao Cup semi-finals last season as Mauricio Pochettino’s men cruised to a 6-1 win over Middlesbrough.
John Terry, one of Chelsea’s academy coaches, tweeted about the 19-year-old during the game, dubbing him a ‘magnet in the box’.
Congratulations Leo
Love him and so will the Chelsea fans, he is like a magnet in the box 💙⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pA2DZDB4vN
— John Terry (@JohnTerry26) January 23, 2024
Terry’s verdict on the attacking midfielder is correct as he plundered 10 goals and supplied nine assists in just 18 appearances for the under-21 side in 2023/24.
Castledine was then loaned to Shrewsbury Town last summer, where he made a positive impression before seeing his loan spell cut short due to injury in February.
Now, the former AFC Wimbledon starlet will be allowed to pursue a permanent move out of West London due to his desire to play regular first-team football.
What type of midfielder is Castledine?
There are always teams looking for a goalscoring midfielder, someone able to produce a moment of magic in a game.
In his short career so far, Castledine has shown a keen eye for goal, arriving late into the box to gobble up chances and become a threat in the final third.
Castledine amassed 48 goal involvements in 93 appearances for the under-18s and under-21s before getting his first break in senior football in 2024/25.
But it’s clear he doesn’t want to be another Chelsea youngster who is loaned from pillar to post and prefers to play regular first-team football elsewhere, with several clubs arguably getting a bargain if they land the Englishman.