Six of the Best: Championship stars on Premier League radars

At this time of year, attempting to find a bargain can be like pulling teeth, with very few clubs willing to negotiate for understandable reasons, not willing to lose key players midway through a season. While fees are rocketing no matter what level a player is plucked from - as Everton’s £10m transfer of League One youngster Ademola Lookman highlighted - but top-flight clubs are in a strong position to force the hand of clubs in the leagues below.

Here we look at six of the best Championship stars that should be on the radar of top-flight teams.

Lewis Dunk (Brighton)

Unlikely to entertain offers for a player so vital to their promotion bid right now, that’s not to say clubs shouldn’t test Brighton’s resolve for a centre-back that has seemed capable of playing at a higher level for some time now. Now 25, Dunk is only likely to improve over the coming years and his physical prowess coupled with an astute reading of the game has attracted admirers in the past.

The Seagulls' currently top of the Championship by two points with a game in hand following an 18-game unbeaten run, owing much to the strongest defensive record in the league (15 conceded). Dunk has played a massive part in that, winning 4 aerial duels per game, ranking second in the league for interceptions per game (3.6) and first of outfielders for accurate long balls per game (8.4), for a league high rating of 7.80.

Conor Hourihane (Barnsley)

While the Tykes seem to be more willing to let their captain’s contract wind down in the summer than selling him on this month, that shouldn’t perturb suitors from trying to secure his signature before a battle for it come the summer. The 25-year old midfielder has been a revelation in the Championship this season, making the step up from League One with ease to leave Barnsley in a very comfortable position in the table, with an outside shot at the play-offs.

The Irishman has been key to their success and a crucial asset at both ends, with his delivery both from set pieces and open play unrivalled in the second tier. It’s allowed Hourihane to register 11 assists this season - at least four more than any other player - while there have been a few screamers amongst his five goals thus far to boot. When you consider he has also made the second most tackles in the league (72), the Barnsley man is proving to be a very adept all rounder in the middle of the park.

Tom Cairney (Fulham)

He may have only made the move to Fulham in the summer but Tom Cairney is already the Cottagers' star man having garnered the same tag during a successful spell at Blackburn. Let go by Hull three years ago over to concerns about his ability to cope physically due to his size, the 25-year old has had no such issues over recent seasons and consistently been among the Championship’s most gifted and creative players in that time.

Having already taken the captain’s armband in the absence of Scott Parker this season, it’s clear just how highly regarded he is in West London. They’d be loathe to losing their prized asset as a result, with Cairney crucial to Fulham's new look passing style under Jokanovic. The versatile attacking midfielder has 5 goals and 3 assists to his name, has created the second most chances in the league (62) and boasts a frankly sensational pass accuracy of 92%. To put it plainly, he’s Premier League quality.

Adam Webster (Ipswich)

Keen to add to his defensive ranks this month, Ronald Koeman has been linked with an interest in centre-back Webster, who only joined Ipswich - opting for the Tractor Boys amid widespread interest - in the summer from Portsmouth. The 22-year old has been a positive from an otherwise disappointing season for Mick McCarthy’s men, like Dunk combining his natural strength in the air due to his height with impressive anticipation on the deck.

Webster has won 4.8 aerial duels per game this season, while 3.5 interceptions is enough to rank third in the league. While his passing certainly needs work if this season’s stats are anything to go by, that is as much down to Ipswich’s direct approach as any great weakness in his own game. An area in which Webster has been likened to John Stones and that sets him apart from other defenders at Championship level is his confidence to bring the ball out from defence, with an average of 1.1 dribbles per game comfortably the most of any centre-back.

Massimo Luongo (QPR)

Having failed to make the cut at Tottenham, Massimo Luongo looks to be building his way back to a top-flight return with his performances for QPR this season. Having dropped down to League One with Swindon, the Australian international struggled to make an impact at Loftus Road initially but has since become an important player for the Hoops this season, standing out courtesy of his all action style in midfield.

The 24-year old has averaged the most tackles per game in the Championship this season (3.7), with that ball winning ability reportedly attracting interest from the likes of West Brom, Palace and Boro this season. There’s more to the former Spurs man than that though, having averaged almost twice as many successful dribbles as any teammate (1.8), while the second most passes per game for the club (1.3) has seen Luongo understandably earn QPR’s highest rating this season (7.16).

Will Hughes (Derby)

After emerging on the scene some years back with a big reputation and a billing as a future England international, let alone Premier League-destined midfielder, Hughes’ star has fallen a little but he’s still just 21. Having adapted his game into a more defensive role this season, pulling the strings from deep for Derby as opposed to operating behind the striker as he once did, the youngster is beginning to impress once again.

His position further away from the opposition goal means that tallies of one goal and three assists are modest, but Hughes is able to show his quality and vision from deep. An average of 1.5 key passes per game from open play is among the most in the Championship, while a tally of 73 tackles is enough to top the pile, with the bite that he has added to his game sure to have drawn admiring glances from the top-flight once again.