Championship transfer round-up: Middlesbrough ready for sales, Birmingham want more, Barry Bannan signs

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By this time next week we’ll be able to say that the new season has begun for teams in the second tier, but for now, let’s dive into the biggest stories in our latest Championship transfer round-up.

Behind the scenes, clubs across the Championship will be preparing their tactics and doing their last minute homework on their opponents ahead of the first round of fixtures in the second tier.

The opening round of fixtures in the Championship will see Southampton host Wrexham, Birmingham City take on Ipswich Town, and two crisis clubs go head-to-head on the Sunday with Leicester City vs Sheffield Wednesday.

Action on the pitch will be the main focus for us all come next weekend, but for now we want the biggest rumours and latest deals and we’ve got them all in our Championship transfer round-up.

• READ MORE: The ‘deal was too good to come away from’ for Barnsley and Conor Hourihane

Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg ready to leave Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have been very active of late, but not necessarily for the reasons fans would hope. In fact, they’re one of the big movers in this week’s Championship transfer round-up because they’re looking likely to sell two star players.

Rav van den Berg is primed to leave Boro, with the club happy with Alfie Jones as his replacement. There’s interest in Germany and the Netherlands for the young defender.

Likewise, Middlesbrough are ready to sell Hayden Hackney, and have made him train alone recently. He turned down a move to Ipswich, but Boro are now pushing him to leave so they can get some money in.

However, Boro look set to land Callum Brittain for £3.5m after a long pursuit. They’re also pushing through a deal for Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew, too.

Birmingham City won’t stop signing players

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough are rivalling Birmingham City for the signature of Chuba Akpom. The former Boro striker is the subject of a loan-to-buy deal with both clubs keen to bring in extra firepower.

Birmingham have lost out in the race to sign Oliver Antman, but are not letting that slow them down this summer.

They’re also now facing competition from Sao Paulo for Elan Ricardo, with a £1.7m deal now mooted.

• READ MORE: Hull City’s feelings on former Man United defender made clear ahead of transfer decision

Barry Bannan signs a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday

It’s been a barrage of bad news for Sheffield Wednesday, but we finally have something positive to report in this Championship transfer round-up.

That’s because Barry Bannan signed a new contract after weeks of speculation over his future. Fans are delighted with the Owls captain, and they have Henrik Pedersen to thank for Bannan locking in the new deal.

There is still some negativity, though. Max Lowe has handed in his notice to terminate his contract, and could leave within the next couple of weeks for nothing.

Championship transfer round-up: Ipswich add Cajuste, Charlton bag Knibbs, QPR to sign Ba

Now, we wrap up our Championship transfer round-up with a quickfire run through the rest of the division.

Ipswich Town have signed Jens Cajuste on loan again after a successful spell last season. Now, the Tractor Boys must find a new striker to bolster their ranks.

Charlton snapped up Harvey Knibbs from Reading as they continue to build a squad capable of staying up.

Elsewhere, Wrexham have agreed a deal to sign Kieffer Moore, despite interest from other Championship sides. The move will cost the Red Dragons £2m.

And finally, QPR are in talks with Papa Meissa Ba. It seems he’ll be off, too, with his manager at Schalke suggesting he’s ready for a new challenge.