The transfer window is in full swing and as always Championship clubs are looking for players on the fringes who could be available on loan in the Premier League.
From promising young stars at top clubs to champions of proven players who are no longer getting enough minutes in the Premier League, we look at the options associated with a move to the second tier and assess their situation…
Toby Collier
Toby Collier is expected to return on loan this transfer window
The Manchester United midfielder spent the first part of the season on loan in the Championship with West Brom, but was recalled by his parent club after suffering a calf injury.
Hull City are now in talks with United over a potential loan deal for Collier after missing out on the 22-year-old in the summer before he moved to West Brom.
Sergej Jakirovic, the head coach of Hull City, has confirmed his desire to bring Collier during this transfer window.
Hull are just one of a number of clubs interested in securing Collier on loan for the second half of the season.
Collier, who has not played since late November, is nearing a full return to fitness.
Harry Amass
Harry Amas spent the first half of the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday
After impressing the Sheffield Wednesday in the first half of the season, to the left–back he is back at Manchester United but is expected to return on loan this term and has no shortage of suitors in the Championship.
On Wednesday, head coach Henrik Pedersen made no secret of his desire to bring Amas back to Hillsborough until the end of the season.
Amass played 21 times for Wednesday before being recalled by United and quickly became a fans’ favourite. The teenager scored once in a 3-1 defeat to Southampton in November.
Joel Piro
Danni Batth and Joel Piroe fight for the ball
Last season’s Championship top scorer has struggled for minutes at Leeds United in the Premier League and has not started a game in the competition since a 5-0 defeat by Arsenal at the end of August, leading to speculation over his future.
However, Piroe has given Leeds no indication that he wants to leave Elland Road and the club will not insist on him moving on. There is a lot of interest from the Championship and abroad, but as things stand, it looks like Piroe is staying put.
Leeds are planning to bring in another striker in January and have inquired with Wolves about Jorgen Strand Larsen. It remains to be seen how the potential arrival of further competition will affect Piroe’s outlook on his future.
Unfortunately for the Championship sides, the loan move doesn’t make much sense for Leeds, who have publicly said they are restricted by PSR in the January transfer window.
Fair Lopez
Fer Lopez struggled in the early days of his Wolves career
Wolves spent around £19 million to bring in the Spaniards playmaker from Celta Vigo in the summer, but so far it hasn’t worked out for him at Molineux and that has opened the door to a potential loan move to the Championship for the rest of the season.
Lopez has made just nine Premier League appearances since joining Wolves, starting two of them, and could get more minutes to adapt to English football.
Wolves are, of course, bottom of the Premier League at the moment and there is a good chance they will be relegated and play in the Championship next season. Spending a few months in the second tier could be the perfect preparation for Lopez.
Jesurun Rak-Sakii
Jesurun Rak-Saki shone for Sheffield United on loan in the Championship
The Crystal Palace reminded of wing since his loan spell in Turkey this month, sparking speculation about what the future holds for Rak-Sakii, who has scored four goals and provided one assist in his 11 appearances for Caikur Rizespor.
Swansea City manager Vitor Matos has already said Rak-Saki is a “really interesting” player amid reports of interest from the Welsh club, but they are not the only Championship side keeping an eye on the 23-year-old’s situation.
Rak-Sakii showed he is more than capable of playing in the Championship last season with Sheffield United when he provided seven goals and two assists for the Blades in 34 league appearances.
David Datro Fofana
David Datro Fofana is currently on loan in Turkey
The Chelsea strike has been playing in Turkey for Fatih Karagumruk, but his parent club are trying to free up an international loan slot, which is potentially good news for Championship clubs.
Derby County is one of the clubs that, along with Celtic, have shown interest in Fofana.
Fofana almost moved to the Championship in the summer, but his deadline day move to Charlton fell through as the paperwork was not submitted on time.
The 23-year-old turned down Celtic in favor of a move to Charlton.
Chelsea would free up an international loan slot if they can find a permanent move, or domestic loan, for Fofana.
And Neil
Dan Neill is attracting interest from the Championship
The midfielder home club captain Sunderland to play-off success at Wembley in May but has made just three Premier League appearances this season.
Neil is increasingly expected to leave Sunderland this transfer window and is attracting interest from the Championship.
Sheffield United are just one of the clubs looking to sign the midfielder.
Zepicueno Redmond
Zepiken Redmond’s loan spell at Huddersfield has been cut short due to injury
Aston Villa they remembered the teenager striker from loan at League One Huddersfield after suffering injury woes in the first half of the season. He has scored once in three appearances, but has been out since September 24.
Reports claim the 18-year-old is now ready to spend the second half of the season on loan again either in the Championship or League One.
Redmond arrived at Villa from Feyenoord with a huge reputation after breaking into the Dutch first team as a teenager and making his Champions League debut against AC Milan. Then this summer he won the U19 Euro with the Netherlands.
If his injury problems don’t bother him, Redmond could be a valuable signing for a Championship club in need of a striker.
Louie Barry
Louis Barry endured a difficult spell on loan with the Blades in the first half of the season
The Aston Villa striker he returned to his parent club in January after a disappointing loan spell at Sheffield United that promised so much excitement. Barry showed the brilliance he showed with Stockport County in League One but struggled for consistency.
It would be hard to judge the 22-year-old too much on his performances in that disastrous early-season run when Ruben Seles was fired. He then started just once against Chris Wilder with the Blades due to a knee problem.
Barry’s reputation before his difficulties with Sheffield United ensures there will be plenty of suitors for him in the Championship, with Villa reportedly expected to take him back on loan.