There are only a couple of days to go until the 2025/26 Championship season gets underway.
It’s predicted to be a thrilling first game week in the second tier, with plenty of tasty fixtures to get stuck into.
The transfer window is still open in this period too, meaning all 24 managers can still bolster their squads.
While the likes of Birmingham City have been busy, other clubs like Leicester City are yet to make an outfield signing.
With that, here is all of the latest transfer news from EFL Analysis this Thursday morning.
Ipswich Town set to beat Birmingham to Chuba Akpom signing
This transfer saga is only a couple of days old but we’ve already seen a transfer tug-of-war between Ipswich Town and the Blues for Chuba Akpom.
Ajax have allowed Akpom to leave after ostracising him from their first-team squad, putting a number of English clubs on red alert.
It looked like Birmingham would sign Akpom on loan but at the last moment, Ipswich hijacked their bid by making a better offer to the former Arsenal man.
In a fresh update on Wednesday, it was reported that Akpom would be heading to Ipswich.
That first game of the season between the two teams is going to be spicy.
Leicester lose another FA Cup hero
Leicester have been one of the quieter sides in the transfer window with free agent Asmir Begovic the only new addition of the summer window.
Marti Cifuentes needs to trim his squad and has already sold Conor Coady.
Wilfred Ndidi looks set to depart for Besiktas after they activated his £9m release clause.
EFL Analysis understands that the midfielder initially had a desire to remain in England and sign for a Premier League club but, since there were no offers, he chose Turkey instead.
A medical is scheduled for today according to Florian Plettenberg before his nine-year stay at Leicester comes to an end.
Stoke City confirm Jamie Donley loan signing
Jamie Donley was one of the stars in League One during his loan spell with Leyton Orient last season.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t guide the O’s to promotion to the second tier but he will get a crack at it himself after Stoke City announced Donley had joined.
He’s only on loan at the Bet365 Stadium until the end of the season as Tottenham Hotspur rate him highly, but expect the midfielder to be one of the most exciting talents in the league.
Donley also scored a stunning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup, so goalkeepers who stand off their line should be warned.
Hull City want record fee for Charlie Hughes
Despite an EFL-imposed transfer restriction ban, the window has been relatively positive for Hull City.
Several free agents and loan signings have been made and the feeling around the Tigers’ playing squad is much more hopeful than a few weeks ago.
Their weekend opponents Coventry City are willing to test their resolve though and make a bid for defender Charlie Hughes.
Frank Lampard appears to be a huge fan but Coventry’s initial offer totalling £7m was rejected by Hull.