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Across the three-week international break, clubs around the Championship will have had the opportunity to take a step back and assess things so far, but will also have had the chance to scout some potential targets ahead of next summer.
Free transfers are essential to clubs across the EFL, with the Championship being no different. They allow clubs to stay within spending limits, plug gaps, and find potential bargains.
It would be remiss of any team not to already be looking ahead to next summer to find potential targets whose contracts are due to expire in 2027, and in the case of Leeds United's Ilia Gruev, the Bulgarian ought to be high up on numerous clubs' list of targets next year.
Ilia Gruev's Leeds United contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027
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Gruev, 26, came through the youth ranks of Werder Bremen and made 62 appearances for the north German outfit before making the switch to England with Leeds in 2023.
The 31-capped Bulgarian captain played a key role in helping the West Yorkshire outfit earn promotion back to the Premier League in 2025, though he has never truly nailed down a consistent place in the starting XI.
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Ilia Gruev career statistics (all competitions) as of 08/10/2026
Team
Leeds United
Werder Bremen
With the likes of Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, and Archie Gray as competition in the midfield previously, and now Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach added to the mix, Gruev has struggled for minutes during his time at Elland Road, and with his current contract set to expire in less than 12 months, he could be moved on.
In the event that he and Leeds part ways, numerous Championship clubs should pounce on this potential bargain, as Football League World takes a look at two English second-tier clubs that should be prepared to make moves for the 26-year-old next summer.
Liam Gallagher, Championship badge, Paul McCartney
Liam Gallagher, Championship badge, Paul McCartney
Millwall
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Millwall, by the time the summer of 2027 rolls around, will be hoping to call themselves a Premier League club for the first time in their history, having narrowly missed out on that feat last time around.
Under Alex Neil, the Lions have continued their upward momentum, and if that can be maintained for another year, then they will achieve automatic promotion.
That will be a big ask for the Scot, especially given the strength of the division this year, though regardless, Millwall must remain ambitious in the transfer market, and should already have potential targets in place for next summer in the event of any circumstance.
With Casper De Norre, Derek Mazou-Sacko, Mathis Servais, Jenson Metcalfe, and Daniel Kelly as deeper midfield options, the Lions don't have any immediate worries regarding that area of the pitch.
However, De Norre is out of contract in the summer, and whether he will sign a fresh deal at The Den remains up in the air for now.
In the event of the Belgian's departure, Millwall will need to source another experienced option to replace him, as Gruev could be the perfect fit.
The defensive midfielder has a bite about him, something Lions supporters will love, and with two years in the Championship and two in the Premier League under his belt by the time of his switch, he could add a lot to Neil's ranks, who would be remiss to ignore this potential bargain.
Where do you think Gruev should go if he were to leave Leeds? Would you like to see him at your club? Share your thoughts below!
Southampton
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Southampton are no different to Millwall in the sense that both clubs will be hoping to be competing in the Premier League next year.
The Saints' expulsion from the play-offs last season after being found guilty of spying on opponents came as a shock to many, and having started this campaign on -4 points, they are still paying the price for this breach.
Despite his role in the spying, German head coach Tonda Eckert looks to be remaining in charge at St Mary's for the foreseeable future, and in that case, will already be looking ahead to the next couple of windows.
After the departure of Shea Charles to Fulham in the summer, James Ward-Prowse returned to the Saints from West Ham United to provide competition in the middle of the park for Cameron Bragg, Caspar Jander, and Flynn Downes.
However, with Ward-Prowse ageing, Bragg yet to prove he is truly Championship level, and Jander linked with moves elsewhere in recent windows, a new midfielder or two could be on Eckert's agenda in 2027, as Gruev would slot straight into his ranks.
His industrious style of play would allow his midfield partner, whether that be Ward-Prowse, Jander, or someone else, to thrive, and given his experience of playing in Germany and England, he would adapt seamlessly to the Saints and Eckert.
On a free transfer, Southampton could spend more on a lot worse, and should be heavily considering a move for the Bulgarian next summer.