Six of the best Championship stars available and who should sign them
The European transfer window closed on Monday night, but the domestic window remains open until October 16th. A host of Premier League sides still need to make additions to complete their squads before next week's deadline, including the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Here, we pick out six could move up a division to the Premier League in the coming days...
Joe Rodon - Swansea City
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City
Who Should Sign Him - Tottenham
Wales manager Ryan Giggs previously tried to coax Manchester United into signing Joe Rodon, while rivals Manchester City have courted the young centre-back in the past. However, the Welsh defender has remained at Swansea City, much to the delight of supporters. That said, his time at the Liberty Stadium could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
With the domestic window open until October 16th, Swansea are braced for bids for their prized defensive asset, notably from Tottenham who are believed to be courting Rodon as an alternative for Milan Skriniar. The 22-year-old is strong in the air, winning 5.3 aerial duels per 90 this season, and boasts a respectable aerial success rate of 67.7%. Comfortable playing the ball out from the back, too, Rodon has the tools to make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League.
Josh King - Bournemouth
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Tottenham, Manchester United, West Ham, West Brom, Everton
Who Should Sign Him - West Brom
Having seen striker teammate Callum Wilson depart for Newcastle as the England international secured an immediate Premier League return, Josh King will be hoping a Premier League side firms up their interest over the coming days. Bournemouth boss Jason Tindall has admitted he won't stand in the way of King leaving the club if they receive an acceptable offer.
The Norwegian has struggled for game time having registered just 23 minutes of action for Bournemouth this season, with Tindall perhaps planning for life without King. The 28-year-old has his Premier League admirers and understandably so having had a direct hand in 62 league goals since the start of 2015/16, that the 23rd best in that period, and with Hal Robson-Kanu ruled out for the foreseeable future with a broken arm, Slaven Bilic is in the market for a striker.
Said Benrahma - Brentford
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Chelsea, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Arsenal
Who Should Sign Him - West Ham
Widely considered to be the best player in the Championship, Said Benrahma was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea earlier in the year, only for the rumours to die down with the Algerian still a Brentford player at the time of writing. However, that could yet change between now and next week. A host of Premier League teams still harbour an interest in the talented winger and understandably so.
As speculation over his future continues to rumble on, Thomas Frank has limited Benrahma's playing time, with the 25-year-old restricted to just two sub appearances in the Championship this term, totalling 39 minutes. In the Carabao Cup, though, Benrahma was excellent in his first start of 2020/21 as he played a star role in Brentford's 3-0 win over west London rivals Fulham. West Ham have been credited with a long-standing interest in Benrahma and the departure of Felipe Anderson for Porto opens up a spot out wide that the Hammers need to fill.
Ismaila Sarr - Watford
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Liverpool, Manchester United
Who Should Sign Him - Manchester United
Two of Ismaila Sarr's best rated performances in the Premier League last season came against Liverpool and Manchester United. A man for the big occasion. Liverpool's capture of Diogo Jota saw them effectively end their interest in Sarr. United tried for the Senegal star on deadline day, but Watford rejected their loan offer with an option to buy.
With the domestic window open until next week, Watford remain braced for offers for the 22-year-old, though Gerard Deulofeu's move to Udinese strengthens their resolve to retain the services of Sarr. United still need a right winger, with Amad Traore not joining until January, and while reports suggests the Premier League powerhouse won't make a move for Sarr, he'd be a superb option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the final third.
Todd Cantwell - Norwich
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Leeds, Fulham
Who Should Sign Him - Leeds
Once Norwich were relegated, it was believed a number of their star performers would quickly leave following a taste of Premier League football. Bar Jamal Lewis and Ben Godfrey, who left for Newcastle and Everton, respectively, the Canaries have done well to rebuff interest in some of their key men, for now at least. One of those is Todd Cantwell, who had caught watchful glances from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool last season.
At present, it's Leeds and Fulham who remain in the hunt for Cantwell, who gave a good account of himself during Norwich's Premier League campaign as he scored six and provided two assists. Leeds secured Raphinha's services on deadline day, which strengths Marcelo Bielsa's side on the right, but a lack of depth on the left could yet see them firm up their interest in the 22-year-old Norwich man. Best on the left, but able to play through the middle and on the right, Cantwell's versatility in the final third would certainly benefit Leeds and Bielsa.
Emiliano Buendia - Norwich
Who Have Been Linked With Him - Leeds, Aston Villa, Liverpool
Who Should Sign Him - Aston Villa
Another of Norwich's crown jewells, Emiliano Buendia is perhaps the brightest at Carrow Road. To say the Argentine took to the Premier League like a duck to water would be a tremendous understatement. Despite playing for a Norwich side that finished bottom, Buendia still ranks second for accurate through balls (12) since the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season and was fourth for both successful dribbles (102) and key passes (83) in England's top tier last term.
Fenerbahce were credited with a deadline day move for Buendia, but failed to strike a deal with Norwich for the Argentine, but an immediate Premier League return can't be ruled out. While Leeds are unlikely to make a move for Buendia after their Raphinha capture, the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester United could yet do with another right winger, though the latter are likely to move for Ismaila Sarr ahead of the Norwich star. Dean Smith has used left winger Trezeguet on the right this term, while Bertrand Traore is a striker better suited through the middle.
Villa have enjoyed a fine window so far and Buendia would be the cherry on top, but it will take some convincing for Norwich to sell the Argentine who has proven a wonderful addition to the squad.
