Championship transfer latest: Portsmouth relegation rivals sign £9m centre-back on loan as Watford frontrunners for £1m-rated Huddersfield goal-getter
The latest on what Pompey’s Championship rivals are up to in the January transfer window
Pompey’s January transfer window is now up and running.
Minhyeok Yang’s departure on Tuesday night represented the club’s first bit of business, although the Fratton faithful would have hoped an arrival rather than an exit had kick-started this month’s proceedings.
Nevertheless, the Blues continue to be linked with players, with Senegalese winger Ousmane Sow the latest to be touted for a move to the south coast.
How true the latest rumour turns out to be true remains to be seen. The News is on the case!
In the meantime, here’s the latest developments across the Championship as teams look for ways to bolster their ranks before the window slams shut at 7pm on February 2.
Latest Championship rumours and deals completed
Blackburn Rovers have boosted their Championship survival hopes with a loan move for Brighton centre-back Eiran Cashin, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Birmingham City. The Seagulls forked out £9m for the former Derby defender last January. He’ll boost a Rovers side that sits just one place and three points above 21st-placed Pompey in the Championship table.
Preston North End midfielder Stefan Thordarson is closing in on a move to 2.Bundesliga side Hannover 96 after falling down the pecking order at the promotion-chasing Deepdale side. North End are expected to recoup the £800,000 they paid Silkeborg for the Iceland international in 2024, with the player having a medical at Die Roten.
Watford are among a number of Championship clubs interested in Chelsea attacking midfielder Leo Casteldine. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at League One Huddersfield, where he has scored 10 goals and registered two assists in 27 appearances. The Stamford Bridge side will reportedly recall Casteldine from his stint at the Terriers and allow him to leave this month for a fee in the region of £1m.
The Hornets, who welcome Pompey to Vicarage Road on January 21, are also, reportedly, chasing Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove.
Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough want to bolster their chances of a return to the Premier League with a loan move for Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian helped Ipswich win promotion to the top-flight in 2023-24. Sarmiento is currently on loan at Serie A side Cremonese, where he’s featured just seven times.
West Brom and Coventry are among the clubs reportedly chasing Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien, who could be allowed to leave the Premier League side during the transfer window. The 31-year-old is a huge favourite at the Stadium of Light following his move in 2018, when the Black Cats were in League One. However, he’s found game time under Regis Le Bris hard to come by this season, having made only two appearances to date. O’Nien’s contract is up at the end of the season.
Ipswich Town are being tipped to make a move for Sheffield United striker Patrick Bamford - if he rejects the offer of a new Blades contract. The former Leeds United forward, who signed a short-term deal with United in November after being a free agent, is yet to agree to a new Bramall Lane deal. The 32-year-old has scored five goals in 10 appearances for Chris Wilder’s side, with his first for the club coming in their 3-0 win against 10-man Pompey on November 26.
His current deal expires after the Blades’ FA Cup game against Mansfield at the weekend. The Blues were linked with a move for Bamford before he made the move to Bramall Lane.