Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two have been incredibly busy throughout the summer transfer window as they have aimed to strengthen their squads for the upcoming campaign.
However, there has been an increase in activity in the days just before the deadline as some clubs look to bring in players to fix problems that have emerged and replace others who departed late in the window, while others have finally left after a transfer saga.
Tyler Dibling’s move to Everton was one that brought to an end a long saga, while another was Lewis Travis’ departure from Blackburn Rovers to join Derby County.
Before the window shuts, there are some clubs that are expected to be busier than others, and EFL Analysis brings you the five sides that are likely to battle it out for that title.
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Ipswich Town
It is understood that Ipswich Town had managed to acquire a large transfer kitty this summer, as they sold Liam Delap to Chelsea for £30 million early in the summer, and then Omari Hutchinson left the Tractor Boys to join Nottingham Forest.
Other key players have left the squad, such as their captain Sam Morsy, and so Kieran McKenna will need to replace these absences in the squad.
Ipswich have already been busy in the past few days, as they have confirmed the signings of Ivan Azon on loan from Como, and Marcelino Nunez from bitter rivals Norwich City.
There is no expectation that the spending will stop, as McKenna looks to have a squad fit to challenge for the Championship title.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City have just been promoted to the Championship this season; however, they are looking to make a splash.
Chris Davies’ side have made an unbeaten start to the division, and they have already made some notable signings this summer, with Kyogo Furuhashi joining from Rennes.
However, the business looks set to continue, as they have been linked with a move for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the close of the window.
Coventry City
Similarly to Birmingham City, Coventry City have made an unbeaten start to their Championship campaign, impressing over the last two fixtures as the Sky Blues managed to score 12 goals.
While they have impressed in attack, there may be some concern that in those two games they did concede four goals.
Coventry’s Milan van Ewijk’s deal with Wolfsburg fell through after the deal stalled, and so this may have been viewed as a positive by Lampard.
However, interest remains in Bobby Thomas from Premier League and Championship clubs, so there may be a need to replace the defender should he leave, while they continue to look to strengthen their squad as a whole.
West Brom
The Baggies are set to see Tom Fellows leave the Hawthorns to join Southampton, a huge loss for Ryan Mason in his aim to achieve promotion.
West Brom also recently lost Darnell Furlong, who believes there is more of a chance of achieving promotion with Ipswich rather than the Baggies.
This news has forced West Brom to act in bringing in replacements, with the club set to sign Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea.
However, they will also be desperate to sign a player who could bring similar quality to the wing, either as the first option or to assume the role of deputy to Mikey Johnston.
Sheffield United
It has been a disastrous start to the season for the Blades, as they have lost their opening three fixtures; another defeat would make it their worst start in 30 years, for campaigns they have not been in the top flight.
Ruben Selles had previously addressed the poor transfer window that Sheffield United had at the start of the summer, and so he will be pleased they have started to address this.
Sheffield United have recently signed Danny Ings, who was a free agent, while they also helped shore up their defence with the signing of Japhet Tanganga from Millwall.
There doesn’t appear to be any indication that they will be slowing down, and Sheffield United will be looking to confirm deals right up to the end of the window.