Our Championship Spotlight series returns in 2024, and with January being a busy month for signings and exits, we’re kicking things off with a January transfer special.
Hull City are showered with roses for *possibly* pulling off the transfer coup of the season, as Premier League heavyweights prepare to swoop for Sunderland’s greatest player.
Plus: Huddersfield Town’s reaction to relegation (and panic) by spending over £1 million on a new striker, and Plymouth Argyle being punished for their impressive return to the Championship…
CARVALHO TO HULL CITY: SEASONAL COUP?
Fabio Carvalho’s career has stalled during the past 18 months after taking the Championship by storm in 2021/22 with 18 goal involvements to further establish himself as a great talent for the future.
That potentially star-making winning goal for Liverpool against Newcastle United did not win Jurgen Klopp’s heart, as the 21-year-old endured a stop-start debut season with the Premier League giants before starting only three games across all competitions for RB Leipzig during his loan at the start of this season.
Carvalho finds himself at a crossroads at the start of this window, free of his dismal term in the Bundesliga and in search of a new home until the summer. Despite interest from Premier League clubs and Championship automatic promotion challengers, he has chosen to stay with play-off contenders Hull City.
To begin with, this transfer aroused some suspicions because Carvalho should be playing regularly in the Premier League. But, with his confidence in desperate need of a boost, a time at Hull with highly regarded youth coach Liam Rosenior could be ideal for all parties.
Hull’s pulling power was clear even before Carvalho signed, with Rosenior and their ambitious owner Acun Ilicali at the helm, as they earlier fended off competition to land Jaden Philogene, Scott Twine, and Tyler Morton.
The signing of Liverpool teenager Carvalho is a huge boost for Hull and their play-off chances, and it’s just what the player needs to get his career back on track.
WEST HAM TO STEAL SUNDERLAND’S MONEY?
While one play-off contender has completed what could be a season-defining signing, another could be forced to sell in the coming weeks.
Jack Clarke’s name was bandied around in the media all summer, and his incredible play this season has done little to deter interested Premier League clubs from buying him.
Clarke has led Sunderland’s promotion push over the last 18 months after possibly joining Tottenham Hotspur too soon. After losing Amad Diallo after the team’s failure to reach the play-offs in 2022/23, the winger has risen up this season to become an even more vital player.
Simply put, when Clarke plays well, Sunderland does well, and the club has become increasingly reliant on its top man, who has 12 goals and two assists in 26 Championship appearances.
Clarke’s outstanding performances have placed him not only in contention for Championship Player of the Year, but also (unfortunately for Sunderland) on the radar of Premier League clubs.
While Sky Sports’ Keith Downie believes Clarke “will move” this year, Sunderland sensibly want to prolong his departure until the summer because they are seeking at least £15 million, with West Ham (and others) chasing him.
With limited funds, Sunderland may be able to keep Clarke until the summer, but for a player of his caliber, £15 million would be a wise investment, and West Ham should not be put off by this figure.
For Sunderland’s sake, they will be praying that their strong stance puts off clubs because their play-off chances would at least hugely decrease significantly (or end immediately) if Clarke heads elsewhere.
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