Transfer window needs: Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday
WHILE the weather has been unseasonably warm for most of this winter, the January transfer window has been pretty slow to heat up. But things could well change shortly.
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Hide AdAcross Yorkshire, stoicism is the order of the day, particularly for supporters of Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, keen on some significant inward activity to harden their promotion drives, with a choice new striker on the wish-lists of many Broad Acres clubs.
The Owls could well be rewarded with the marquee capture of Blackburn’s Jordan Rhodes, a big summer target of Boro, who are working on a deal to bring in former Leeds United captain Ross McCormack, who is banging in the goals for Fulham.
For Leeds and Hull City, the intent is likely to be on keeping some of their existing prized talent, one of whom is destined for pastures new in the major county move of the window so far with Sam Byram poised to join West Ham from the Whites.
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Hide AdBy and large, it has been a quiet window thus far, with the main theme being on clubs re-signing loan deals with players currently at clubs. But expect things to heat up in the coming days. Here, The Yorkshire Post looks at the priorities for each club between now and February 1, 11pm.
Huddersfield Town
Done deals: James Husband has been brought in from Boro to mitigate for the loan loss of Ben Chilwell. Jed Steer is staying put, but James Vaughan, Mustapha Carayol and Murray Wallace have left.
Work to do: David Wagner, with funds available, has made no secret about his desire to add a forward, with Vaughan having left and Ishmael Miller on the periphery. Buoyant Town look well catered for elsewhere. Keeping Nahki Wells would be wise, although Wagner says he is under no pressure to sell and Wells wants to stay. No brainer, surely.
Hull City
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Hide AdDone deals: Have allowed some young players on the fringes to leave, including Matty Dixon and Will Aimson.
Work to do: The priority will be repelling any late advances from top-flight sides for the ‘family silver’ in the shape of Abel Hernandez, Ahmed Elmohamady, Andrew Robertson and Michael Dawson, although Steve Bruce has stressed he has every confidence in doing that. The Hull boss is relaxed – and so he should be with the Tigers having their bases covered.
Leeds United
Done deals: Mustapha Carayol’s loan capture and the re-signing of Liam Bridcutt, with Byram’s exit imminent.
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Hide AdWork to do: Plenty. Making sure that the likes of Charlie Taylor and Lewis Cook stay put for a start, with some striking reinforcements at the top of Steve Evans’ incoming wishlist. If not two, then most certainly one.
Middlesbrough
Done deals: The addition of loan striker Kike Sola from Athletic Bilbao, with utility man Victor Lindelof set to follow from Benfica. Husband, Carayol and Rhys Williams head the departures.
Work to do: A predatory striker to score the goals to fire the club to promotion, with McCormack being the name on most supporters’ lips – followed by Rhodes.
Rotherham United
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Hide AdDone deals: Aimen Belaid and Shay Facey have bolstered the Millers defence, with Alex Cairns providing goalkeeper cover after Adam Collin’s exit. Aidan White has also left.
Work to do: Provide striking competition, with the club awaiting international clearance on Luciano Becchio and also in the market for several other players – while also being keen to secure new clubs for Greg Halford and Jordan Bowery.
Sheffield Wednesday
Done deals: Confirmation of Jack Hunt’s permanent move and a whole raft of contract extensions – Barry Bannan, Glenn Loovens, Atdhe Nuhiu and Sam Hutchinson. Darryl Lachman has left the club.
Work to do: The re-signing of Gary Hooper, with Dejphon Chansiri also intent on making a big Championship statement – with Rhodes being the No 1 target. Joe Bennett’s loan move also looks close.