The clock is ticking on the summer transfer window and the battle to bring in new players is hotting up as clubs desperately try to strengthen their squads ahead of the deadline.
The final days of the market are always the most dramatic as teams react to how they start the season and owners loosen the purse strings when the reality of a potential year of struggle hits home.
Transfer sagas that have been wrangling on throughout the summer also suddenly accelerate and conclude, creating a ripple effect where a selling club is then in possession of a much heftier budget.
Many of those selling clubs may well be EFL sides over the next fortnight – and the step up from the Championship to the Premier League is a well-trodden path after numerous success stories over recent years.
This summer has been no different with Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich to Nottingham Forest), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton to Newcastle) and Zian Flemming (Millwall to Burnley) some of those to follow that route – and there is plenty more talent floating around in the second tier.
So, with just days to go in the window, Daily Mail Sport has looked at 10 EFL stars who could still join the Premier League elite before the September 1 deadline.
Several stars have made the move from the EFL to the Premier League over recent years
This summer has been no different – and more stars could follow over the next fortnight
Gustavo Hamer
Age: 28 Club: Sheffield United Position: Midfielder
Technically the best available player in the EFL given he won the Championship’s yearly award in 2024-25, it’s surprising more clubs haven’t made a move for Gustavo Hamer this summer.
The Brazilian-born midfielder, who was raised in the Netherlands, excelled in the second tier last season with 10 goals and eight assists as Sheffield United missed out on promotion in the cruellest of circumstances.
Three defeats to start the season for the Blades is unlikely to have lifted Hamer’s spirits, although he scored a stunning goal from the halfway line against Birmingham in the Carabao Cup last week.
Hamer also has top flight pedigree, having provided 11 goal contributions during United’s dismal 2023-24 campaign and there has been previous interest in him from Leeds, while speculation surrounding a move to the Netherlands is also rife.
Possible landing spots: Everton, Leeds, West Ham
Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer won the Championship Player of the Year award in 2024-25
Tyler Dibling
Age: 19 Club: Southampton Position: Winger
The most high-profile Championship exit that could still happen, Tyler Dibling has been of interest to a variety of clubs since emerging as a shining light in Southampton’s horrendous Premier League campaign last season.
Likened to Jack Grealish given his dribbling skills and low-cut socks, Dibling was previously touted with a price tag of £100m. That has drastically come down, but as of yet, no clubs have met Southampton’s £50m valuation despite strong links with Everton.
Saints boss Will Still omitted Dibling from his squad for their opening game against Wrexham, claiming he was ‘not in a headspace’ to play, but the winger came off the bench late on against Ipswich at the weekend.
Still has pledged the 19-year-old will be a key part of his squad if he stays and it promises to be a tense few weeks for both club and player.
Possible landing spots: Everton, Crystal Palace, Brentford
Tyler Dibling faces an uncertain few weeks as speculation continues surrounding his future
Hayden Hackney
Age: 23 Club: Middlesbrough Position: Midfielder
Despite his age Hayden Hackney is a vastly experienced Championship midfielder with more than 100 appearances to his name after breaking through at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick.
But the 23-year-old, who was part of England’s Under 21 European Championship winning squad this summer, has long been linked with a departure after consistently shining for Boro.
It had looked as if his time on Teesside was coming to an end earlier this summer after Ipswich agreed a £20million package with a substantial sell-on fee for the midfielder, but Hackney rejected the move, although the Tractor Boys are expected to make a fresh approach.
In a sign of his maturity, Hackney has slotted straight back into the team and scored in Saturday’s impressive 3-0 victory over Millwall.
Hackney makes things tick from deep and several Premier League scouts – including those from both Manchester clubs, Tottenham and Liverpool – have been known to watch him in the past.
Possible landing spots: Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham
Hayden Hackney has shined for Middlesbrough over several seasons since breaking through
Tom Fellows
Age: 22 Club: West Brom Position: Winger
Widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the Championship, Tom Fellows showed why during West Brom’s 3-2 victory at Wrexham last Saturday with a dazzling display on the right wing.
The 22-year-old, who is a fan favourite at The Hawthorns given his academy background, topped the assist charts in the second tier in 2024-25 with 14 despite an overall disappointing campaign for the Baggies.
It feels a matter of when, not if, he makes the step up, and his stock is well recognised – as demonstrated by his status as a team-mate of Hackney for England’s Under 21s – and his style has been likened to Chris Waddle.
Fellows is another talent Everton have admired for a long-time, while he may be a target for Southampton if the Saints sell Dibling.
The winger remains humble and is said to still drive a Ford Fiesta, but if the Baggies do manage to keep him, don’t be surprised to see Fellows at the top of the assists chart yet again.
Possible landing spots: Everton, Brentford, Brighton
Tom Fellows showed just why he is one of the best wingers in the league against Wrexham
Josh Sargent
Age: 25 Club: Norwich Position: Forward
Josh Sargent has picked up where he left off last season with two goals in two games and it is a surprise to many that the US forward is still at Carrow Road.
Speculation about Sargent’s future has been rife all summer after he contributed 15 goals and five assists in an underwhelming campaign for Norwich in 2024-25 – form that saw him named in the Championship’s Team of the Year.
Sargent will have his eyes on a place in the USMNT’s squad for a home World Cup next year and the 25-year-old may feel he needs to be playing at a higher level after missing out on the Gold Cup.
Sargent, who scored twice during his sole Premier League campaign in 2021-22, is one of the best forwards in the EFL, and with a strong work ethic, good hold-up play and finishing ability, he is an enticing proposition for clubs.
Possible landing spots: Burnley, Leeds, Brentford
Josh Sargent will be eyeing a place in the USMNT’s squad for a home World Cup next summer
Mateus Fernandes
Age: 21 Club: Southampton Position: Attacking midfielder
Another Southampton star who faces an uncertain future is Mateus Fernandes and the Portugal Under 21 international has many admirers.
Fernandes, who like Dibling was a rare bright spark for the Saints last season, is renowned for his work ethic, passing and quality on the ball – and West Ham have already had a bid worth up to £30m rejected for him.
The 21-year-old is under contract until 2029 and did start Southampton’s crunch clash at Ipswich on Sunday, suggesting a move is not close, with the club said to value him at somewhere between £50m and £60m.
The Hammers have though made an improved offer for the midfielder, who has been likened to Man City star Matheus Nunes in his homeland, and Southampton are set to make a vast profit on the £15m they paid last summer if he departs.
Possible landing spots: West Ham, Fulham, Bournemouth
Like Dibling, Mateus Fernandes is also a star to keep an eye on ahead of the upcoming deadline
Abdul Fatawu
Age: 21 Club: Leicester Position: Winger
In Leicester’s disastrous Premier League campaign and all the associated inquiries into what went wrong, the impact of the season-ending knee injury suffered by Abdul Fatawu in November cannot be overestimated.
Fatawu had dazzled across the previous year as Leicester romped to the Championship title, adding six goals and 13 assists after he arrived from Sporting Lisbon.
The Ghanaian is back to full fitness now and a superb pre-season goal against Fiorentina that saw him pick up the ball in his own half before taking it past three defenders and curling an effort in the top corner exemplified his talent.
Glimpses of his ability to shine in the top flight were on show before his campaign was curtailed and with pace, skill and end-product, Fatawu has all the ingredients to make the step up.
Possible landing spots: Sunderland, Everton, Brentford
Leicester winger Abdul Fatawu is back to full fitness after missing most of last season
Japhet Tanganga
Age: 26 Club: Millwall Position: Defender
Japhet Tanganga has revitalised and transformed his career since joining Millwall, initially on loan, at the start of 2024.
The defender, who made his Tottenham debut at the age of 20 in 2019, showed glimpses of his talent but struggled for gametime in north London, making just 50 appearances over five years.
But at The Den, Tanganga is now recognised as one of the best defenders in the division with his physicality, pace and strong one-on-one defending gaining particular plaudits.
His performances have unsurprisingly attracted interest, but Millwall boss Alex Neil expressed his desire to keep his best players, meaning it will take a substantial offer to prise Tanganga away.
Possible landing spots: Fulham, Brentford, Wolves
Japhet Tanganga has developed into a top quality centre back since joining Millwall last year
Bilal El Khannouss
Age: 21 Club: Leicester Position: Attacking midfielder
Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss was another player to catch the eye in an otherwise dire campaign for his side last season – and he has been the subject of Premier League interest for much of the summer.
Crystal Palace saw a £20m bid rejected for the Belgian-born Moroccan star over the weekend but he is likely to remain a prime target if Eberechi Eze does depart.
El Khannouss stepped up with two assists on the opening weekend of the Championship season and the 21-year-old, who is technically superb, was once described by a former coach as having ‘eyes in his back’ such is his awareness and vision.
Having been signed for £21m last summer from Genk, he won’t come cheap but he would certainly be a solid investment.
Possible landing spots: Crystal Palace, West Ham, Sunderland
Bilal El Khannouss could prove to be the perfect Eberechi Eze replacement at Crystal Palace
Jason Knight
Age: 24 Club: Bristol City Position: Midfielder
If there was ever a strong sign of a young player’s character, being handed the captaincy at the age of 19 in the first game of Wayne Rooney’s managerial career is not a bad reference point.
Hailed as a ‘joy to watch’ by former Derby boss Paul Warne, Knight earned a move to Bristol City in 2023 and has proven to be integral, with the Irishman appointed as club captain at Ashton Gate last summer.
Bristol City skipper Jason Knight played every minute of their league campaign in 2024-25
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The 24-year-old played every minute of their 2024-25 Championship campaign and tends to feature in a deeper role, although he can also play as a No 10.
Knight has racked up 271 career appearances – plus 39 international caps for Ireland – and it feels as if he is ready to take that next step.
Although no formal bids have come in, Bristol City CEO Tom Rawcliffe recently admitted the Robins ‘remain a trading club’, opening the door for a sale.
Possible landing spots: Brentford, Everton, Fulham