There is little over a week until the January transfer window closes on February 1, with clubs running out of time to improve their rosters.
Many transactions are expected to be completed between now and the window closing, with the rumour mill going into overdrive over the following nine days.
With that in mind, here is the latest EFL transfer notebook, as well as analysis from the EFL 72 newsletter, which you can subscribe to below.
Hull favourites to beat Leeds to another transfer
According to Team Talk, Hull City are leading the fight to sign Luton Town’s Ryan Giles.
Despite becoming Luton’s record signing after joining from Wolves for £5 million last summer, the 23-year-old has struggled to find consistent first-team play this season.
After numerous successful loans in the second division, Giles’ lack of football has piqued the interest of a number of Championship clubs, including Leeds United and Cardiff City, both of whom have previously loaned him.
Yet the Tigers are reportedly favourites to sign the full-back, which would see them land a second January transfer blow on Leeds after previously beating the Elland Road side to land Fabio Carvalho on loan from Liverpool.
EFL 72 says:“Hull are said to view Giles as a key target to strengthen their play-off push in the second half of the season but, with Luton putting up a brave fight against relegation from the Premier League, it remains to be seen whether Rob Edwards will sanction his departure.”
Door opened for Birmingham transfer
Hull City have opened the door for Birmingham City to sign Barnsley’s Callum Styles.
The Tigers have been closely connected with a move for the 23-year-old Hungary international, but Hull Live reports that he is no longer on the club’s radar.
This might provide Birmingham City with a free run at the midfielder, who was on loan at Millwall last season.
According to EFL 72, Styles was previously connected with a Premier League move because to his impressive international performances, but that has not materialised, paving the way for a Championship transfer. Styles’ versatility is a major selling feature, as he can play in a holding role, left-back, and on the left side of midfield.
La Liga side eye Leeds defender
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Sociedad has added Leeds United defender Junior Firpo to their list of left-back alternatives.
Real Sociedad’s only left-back option is Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney, due to Aihen Muñoz’s recent injury. The club is planning to improve the position during the summer window.
Sergio Gomez of Manchester City is touted as one alternative for the La Liga side, although Firpo is viewed as a more realistic goal, with the 27-year-old having had a dismal spell at Elland Road since signing from Barcelona in 2021.
However, Real Sociedad see Firpo as a more expensive option, given that the former Spain international has started Leeds’ previous three games.
According to EFL 72, a transfer bid would place Leeds in an interesting position. While Firpo has been underwhelming since his high-profile arrival from Barcelona, he still has enough of a reputation to attract a reasonable transfer price, allowing more money to be spent at Elland Road. However, Daniel Farke has already highlighted left-back as a position to improve this month, and selling Firpo would leave them even short in that area.
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