Three League One players Championship clubs should sign

The end of the League One season is upon us and the cogs of the transfer rumour mill are beginning to turn.

With an array of hidden gems currently plying their trade in the third tier, we've taken a look at three players who could make the grade in the Championship or above.

Kwame Poku

Club: Peterborough United
Position: RW
Age: 23
Market value (Transfermarkt): €1.50m

In a season where Peterborough lacked consistency even when Kwame Poku was available, it should come as no surprise that the Ghanaian's absence coincided with their deterioration in form.

It's not the only reason, but when you remove a 20-goal contributor from the equation, you're likely to suffer in some respect. It also doesn't help when the individual happens to be a mesmerising talent.

From Cray Wanderers to London Road, Poku has got to where he is on merit. It's his splendid temperament which has helped mould him into one of League One's most electrifying talents.

Adding goals and assists to his game with an increased regularity, the 23-year-old possesses all of the qualities you worship in a winger: balletic footwork, explosive acceleration and final third composure.

A multitude of Championship clubs are sniffing and with his contract set to expire this summer, Poku will be the latest off Peterborough's exceptional production line to make the transition to a higher level.

Ethan Erhahon

Club: Lincoln City
Position: CDM
Age: 23
Market value (Transfermarkt): €900k

Lincoln City are the epitome of a well-run club and their impressive recruitment model enabled them to unearth an imposing midfield disruptor in Ethan Erhahon.

On the books at St Mirren from the age of five, Erhahon's career may have had an entirely different outlook with the Glaswegian rejecting a move to Forest Green just weeks before signing for Lincoln on deadline day in January 2023.

Erhahon has prospered at Sincil Bank under the tutelage of Michael Skubala and his industrious skillset make him the perfect accomplice to an attack-minded midfield partner.

No midfielder has averaged more interceptions per match (2.1) in League One and Erhahon ranks prominently for recoveries with 175. His duel success exceeds 60%, which is a prime example of his combative nature.

For all of his talent, his discipline has undermined him, not least in Lincoln's encounter with Bolton on New Year's Day where he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in first half stoppage time.

It's an element of his game Skubala has looked to nurture and if Erhahon can get a better grasp of his emotions, there's no restraint on him showcasing his ability in the Championship or beyond.

Ethan Pye

Club: Stockport County
Position: CB
Age: 21
Market value (Transfermarkt): €450k

There's just something about a proficient left-sided central defender that really tickles the tastebuds.

Ethan Pye's journey to Stockport County was not the smoothest, but those experiences have helped him to mature quickly and forge a strong resilience at an early stage of his career.

A loan spell with Gateshead in the 2022/23 campaign certainly aided his progression and Pye returned to become a mainstay of Dave Challinor's backline, helping Stockport to win the League Two title and receiving a nomination for Young Player of the Year in the process.

An imposing figure whose aerial presence is of a benefit at both ends of the pitch, the Manchester-born defender is impressively serene in possession considering his bulky frame and none of his positional peers have drawn more fouls in the third tier this campaign.

He also ranks in the top 8% of all players in League One for tackles won, interceptions and recoveries.

In a world where accomplished left-footed centre-backs seem increasingly scarce, Pye is a valuable commodity in Stockport's ranks.