Several Championship players will be hoping to catch Premier League clubs attention on the opening weekend of the new Football League season.
HITC Sport takes a look at nine Championship stars who will be looking to put themselves in the Premier League shop window with eye-catching displays.
Marcus Tavernier – Middlesbrough
Newly-promoted sides Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are chasing Tavernier’s signature, but neither side have reached an agreement with Boro for the winger.
Tavernier, brother of Rangers captain James, scored five goals and provided five assists in the Championship last season, and with him possessing the versatility to play anywhere across the midfield – it does seem likely that he’ll be playing Premier League football once the summer transfer window closes.
Hassane Kamara – Watford
The Ivory Coast international only joined the Hornets six months ago after making the move from Ligue 1 side Nice, but he made enough of an impression to win the club’s player of the year award.
The left-back impressed upon his arrival at Vicarage Road and while the limelight and attention is fixed on Sarr and Dennis’ futures, Kamara could be an option for several Premier League sides.
The Athletic report that Kamara is expected to stay and form a key part of Rod Edwards rebuild, but if he makes an impressive start to life in the Championship, some Premier League clubs could come calling.
Josh Brownhill – Burnley
Several Premier League clubs have been linked with the former Bristol City midfielder ever since Burnley’s relegation was confirmed.
But Vincent Kompany will be keen to retain the services of the all-action midfielder who has a wealth of Championship experience under his belt.
But with two years left to run on his contract at Turf Moor, interest in the 26-year-old could intensify as the transfer window draws to a close.
Emmanuel Dennis – Watford
The Nigerian striker is expected to leave this summer, but Watford are demanding £20m for the man they signed for £3m from Club Bruges last summer.
The 24-year-old scored 10 goals and laid on six assists in the Premier League last season.
The Super Eagles forward isn’t short of suitors with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Everton and West Ham all credited with an interest in Watford’s number 25.
Maxwel Cornet – Burnley
Burnley want Nottingham Forest to pay Cornet’s £17.5m release clause in one instalment or pay more for the 25-year-old, reports the Mail.
The same report states that Everton and Fulham have previously asked for loans with a fee and an option to pay around £20m next summer to sign the former Lyon man on a permanent deal.
The Ivory Coast international scored nine Premier League goals last season and he isn’t going to want to stick around and play in the second tier of English football. West Ham are also reportedly interested in the winger.
Ben Brereton Diaz – Blackburn Rovers
AS in Chile recently reported that both Leeds United and West Ham had made moves to try and sign Brereton Diaz.
With a year left to run on his contract, the Ewood Park hierarchy will have to make a decision on whether they cash in on the 14-time Chile international who scored 22 goals in the Championship last season.
Ismailar Sarr – Watford
Watford want to sell the reported Newcastle United and West Ham United target in the summer transfer window, according to The Express.
The Hornets paid a club-record fee to sign the winger from Rennes, but after enduring a season in the Championship the last time Watford were relegated, the African Cup of Nations winner will be keen to seal a move.
Max Aarons – Norwich City
The 17-time England Under-21 international is the subject of interest from Everton, Gladbach, Wolfsburg and Marseille, according to the Sun.
The 22-year-old has two years left to run on his contract with Norwich and the Canaries may look to cash in on the £15m-valued ace.
Aarons will feel he’s outgrown Championship football and will be hoping to get a big-money move despite starting the new campaign in the Football League.
Dwight McNeil – Burnley
According to the Telegraph’s John Percy, Everton are in advanced talks to sign the former England Under-21 international for £15m.
The 22-year-old has two years left to run on his current deal at Turf Moor and he appeared in all 38 Premier League games last season.
But the winger only registered one assist and his failure to score wasn’t through a lack of trying. He had 52 attempts without finding the back of the net, a worse streak than any other player in one of Europe’s top five league, according to WhoScored.
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