While Championship clubs look to make the jump to the top flight, they may well want to sign a Premier League free agent or two to help them achieve that goal.
The Championship is one of the most exciting and lucrative leagues in world football. You only have to look at the £240m prize fund for the play-offs to see how important it is to achieve success in the second tier.
As we look ahead to the summer transfer window, teams across the division will be plotting their budgets and eyeing up key targets to ensure the 2025/26 campaign is a positive one.
However, they may not even need to spend a penny (apart from wages), as some of these Premier League free agents could make all the difference if they can be tempted to step down a division.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
The best free agents Championship clubs should target this summer
Tariq Lamptey
The Brighton full-back made a promising start to his career a few years ago and looked like one of the best in his position at the time. Injuries have seriously damaged his progress, but Tariq Lamptey would be a great pick-up for a second tier side.
Harry Toffolo
Harry Toffolo made his name in the EFL, and he could well be heading back there this summer after being released by Nottingham Forest. We’re sure a few Championship clubs will make a swoop for the 29-year-old soon.
Tom Cairney
Already linked with a massive move to Wrexham, Tom Cairney could become one of the highest-paid players in the second tier, as well as being one of the best players in the Championship if he agrees to the move.
Josh Dasilva
Another player with plenty of EFL experience, Brentford are letting Josh Dasilva go this summer, and he’d be an ideal acquisition for a number of Championship clubs.
Michael Keane
While we previously suggested Burnley should look at Michael Keane, the veteran defender may well have to look at dropping down to the Championship. If he does, his new club will have a ready-made, top-drawer defender among their ranks.
Callum Wilson
Another player tipped for a move to the promoted clubs, especially Leeds United, Callum Wilson may yet end up finding himself with a top Championship team, instead. A return to Coventry City makes sense for Wilson, but it will all come down to the financial aspects of the move.
Aaron Cresswell
Wrexham are also keen on Aaron Cresswell, who is leaving West Ham after 11 years in London. He may be 35-years-old now, but the full-back still has something to offer in the Championship, and we’ll be keen to see where he ends up.
Danny Ings
Meanwhile, Wrexham and Birmingham are both eyeing Danny Ings, another experienced West Ham man surely bound for the Championship this summer. If he does go to either club, or indeed anywhere in the Championship, he could end up being prolific and making all the difference for his new club.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Every player set for release from the Premier League in 2025/26
The following players are all set to be released next month when their contracts expire on 30 June, 2025. However, any player marked with * after their name has been offered a new deal at their current club, and we are awaiting news as to whether they will end up becoming a Premier League free agent or not.
Arsenal
Jorginho, Thomas Partey*
Aston Villa
Kortney Hause, Robin Olsen
Brentford
Josh Dasilva, Ben Mee
Brighton
Tariq Lamptey, James Milner
Burnley
Josh Brownhill*, Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Redmond, Ashley Barnes
Chelsea
Lucas Bergstrom
Crystal Palace
Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Ward, Remi Matthews, Tyrick Mitchell
Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Joao Virginia, Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman, Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate, Neal Maupay
Fulham
Tom Cairney*, Willian, Kenny Tete, Carlos Vinicius
Leeds United
Junior Firpo*, Sam Byram*, Josuha Guilavogui
Liverpool
Harvey Davies
Man City
Kevin De Bruyne, Scott Carson
Man Utd
Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton
Newcastle United
Callum Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Mark Gillespie, John Ruddy
Nottingham Forest
Harry Toffolo, Willy Boly, Wayne Hennessey
Spurs
Sergio Reguilon, Ben Davies, Fraser Forster, Alfie Whiteman
Sunderland
N/A
West Ham
Danny Ings, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma
Wolves
Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Pablo Sarabia