In an era where excessive sums are being paid in the transfer market, being able to sign a player for free is a great way for a club cutting costs. The most expensive player who will be out of contract is Tottenham player Christian Eriksen, valued at £80m+. The numbers aren’t that high in the Championship, of course. But also in the English second division, a couple of interesting players will be free agents in the summer of 2020. Let’s have a look at the 7 most expensive Championship players out of contract in 2020.
Jarrod Bowen – Right Winger – Hull City
Jarrod Bowen is only 23 years old, which makes him the youngest but also the most expensive player in the list of Championship players out of contract in 2020. The Englishman played most of his career for Hull City. He has been playing for The Tigers since 2014, scoring 52 goals in 123 appearances. Speculation surrounding the future of the young talent has been growing with Newcastle reportedly ready to step in if Hull City is not going to give the right-winger and improved contract.
Markus Henriksen – Central Midfield – Hull City
Henriksen is a Norway international who has been playing for Hull City since 2017, scoring 4 goals in 74 appearances. The Norwegian is set to become a free agent at the end of this season as he rejected a new contract from Hull City in October. If Hull City still wants to make some money off him, they will have to try and sell the 27-year old in January. Henriksen has expressed he is looking for a new challenge and is likely going overseas to find it.
Jonathan Howson – Central Midfield – Middlesbrough
Jonathan Howson has been a Middlesbrough player since 2017 after he left Norwich City where he played a staggering 176 games. The 31-year old Englishman has a ton of experience and Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate wants to keep the central midfielder, quoting you need a player like that in the dressing room, especially for the young lads. To date, Howson has not signed a new contract yet.
Kevin Stewart – Defensive Midfield – Hull City
Kevin Stewart is the third player out of four Hull City players in this list. The former Liverpool joined Hull City in 2017, but his current contract is expiring on the 30th of June 2020. The defensive midfielder is open to extending his contract at the KCOM Stadium but no agreement has been signed. The 26-year old has an option in the contract to extend it by a further year, so Hull City still holds all the cards.
Borja Bastón – Centre-Forward – Swansea
Borja Bastón moved from Atlético Madrid to Swansea City in 2016 but is currently on a loan spell with Alavés. The Spaniard scored 5 goals in 26 appearances this season in La Liga. The striker is reportedly subject of transfer interest from both Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol and the 27-year old is expected to leave Swansea and return to his mother country permanently.
Daniel Ayala – Centre-Back – Middlesbrough
Ayala joined Middlesbrough in 2014 from Norwich City and scored 18 goals in 175 appearances. Early on in his career, he played 5 games for Liverpool before being loaned out to Hull City and Derby County. The 29-year old has indicated he is not planning on leaving in January despite Leeds United and Stoke City reportedly having shown interest in acquiring him. The centre-back will be out of contract at the end of this season but is in negotiations over a new deal.
Kamil Grosicki – Left Winger – Hull City
Polish international Kamil Grosicki joined Hull City in 2017, scoring 24 goals in 117 games. Hull City hopes the 31-year old will sign a new contract as they consider him one of the star players of the team. Hull City is currently in 12th position in the Championship, which could have an influence on the decision of Grosicki as this might be his last chance to make a move to a top league. Grosicki has been a Polish international since 2008, scoring 13 goals in 73 appearances.
