The Championship has become more competitive than ever before with a large number of teams involved having recently tasted Premier League football, and with that comes an improvement in quality.
Teams must be willing to spend in order to reach the top-flight and, with the Championship season sparking into action this weekend, we have picked out five transfers which could reap big rewards.
| What | England Championship 2023/24 |
| Where | England & Wales |
| When | Friday 4th August, 2023 - Saturday 4th May, 2024 |
| How to watch | Sky Sports |
| Odds | Leicester 4/1, Leeds 7/1, Southampton 7/1, Middlesbrough 10/1, Watford 16/1, Norwich 16/1, Ipswich 16/1 |
Harry Winks - Midfielder
Tottenham Hotspur to Leicester City, £10million
Having suffered a shock relegation from the Premier League last season, new Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca made England international Harry Winks his first signing of the summer.
The 27-year-old has made 128 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs and his £10m arrival is a sign of the club's ambition to strive for an immediate top-flight return.
Winks is excellent technically and provides a steady head in midfield, something which should allow the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to flourish in a more advanced role.
The Foxes, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola's former assistant at Manchester City, will dominate possession in many of their matches and that is where Winks' ability can shine through.
Winks has had some injuries in recent seasons, but he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season in Serie A with Sampdoria, where he featured 20 times, and he should thrive at this lower level.
Seny Dieng - Goalkeeper
QPR to Middlesbrough, Undisclosed fee
Middlesbrough had a huge hole to fill after loanee goalkeeper Zack Steffen returned to his parent club Manchester City, but they may have found the perfect replacement in Seny Dieng.
Steffen shone in between the sticks for Boro last season, keeping nine clean sheets on their run to the play-offs, but Dieng kept the same number while in goal for a QPR side who could finish only 20th.
Despite QPR's struggles, Dieng's tally of 117 saves was the fourth highest in the Championship last season and his shot-stopping ability should ensure Michael Carrick's side are once again a force in the promotion reckoning.
The 28-year-old helped Senegal triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations last year and that winning mentality could be invaluable.
Rhys Healey - Striker
Toulouse to Watford, Free
Watford have seen a mass turnover in personnel over the summer and are going to miss the goalscoring abilities of departed duo Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr, but in Rhys Healey they may have found an answer to their prayers.
The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons in France with Toulouse, where he has scored 36 goals in 66 league appearances, which includes netting 20 times during their promotion-winning campaign from Ligue 2 in 2021-22
A serious knee injury meant Healey made only four appearances and grabbed just two goals in the French top-flight last term, but he is raring to go on his return to England and his appetite for goals makes him a shrewd piece of business.
Jerry Yates - Striker
Blackpool to Swansea City, £2.5million
Jerry Yates was unable to keep Blackpool in the Championship last season, but his 15 goals for the relegated side caught the eye of Swansea City, who soon swooped in to capture his signature.
After Russell Martin left for Southampton, the Swans have a new manager in former Barnsley boss Michael Duff and his style of play could help bring out the best in Yates.
Duff favours a more direct approach and that could play to the strengths of Yates, who excels in hold-up play and has the pace to make telling runs in behind.
The 26-year-old could rack up the goals for the Swans, especially if Joel Piroe gets prised away. If the Dutch forward opts to stay in Wales then that could be a combination that has them pushing for the play-offs.
Jack Taylor - Midfielder
Peterborough United to Ipswich Town, Undisclosed fee
Despite finishing second in League One last season, Ipswich Town have ambitions of breaking into the Championship top six this term and Jack Taylor is an astute piece of business who could help take them to the next level.
Taylor was the undoubted star of League One last season as he scored nine goals and grabbed six assists for Peterborough United, who suffered defeat in the play-offs.
The 25-year-old is an athletic ball carrier who covers the ground at speed and he looks the perfect fit for the Tractor Boys, who have Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy sitting deeper in midfield.
