As the second summer transfer window opened on June 1, Premier League clubs are busy scouting talent to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. With the deadline set for September 1, there’s a fresh wave of excitement around players in the Sky Bet Championship who could be ready to make the step up to England’s top flight.

The Championship remains one of the richest pools of talent outside the Premier League. It combines the hunger of players from relegated clubs eager to bounce back, ambitious stars from promotion-missing teams, and proven performers looking to prove themselves at the highest level.

Here’s a look at 10 Championship players drawing attention from Premier League clubs this summer — rising stars who could make a real impact next season.

---

Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United)

Midfielder Gustavo Hamer stands out as one of the Championship’s finest performers. The Brazilian-born playmaker had a taste of Premier League football with Sheffield United in 2023/24, delivering 4 goals and 7 assists during a tough season that ended in relegation.

In 2024/25, Hamer blossomed, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists, playing a key role in the Blades’ run to the Championship play-off final. His stellar performances earned him the league’s Player of the Year award, and it’s no surprise that clubs like Everton and Leeds are monitoring his situation closely.

With Sheffield United missing out on promotion, Hamer could be poised for a return to the Premier League, bringing creativity, vision, and experience to any midfield.

---

Josh Sargent (Norwich City)

Josh Sargent has quietly built an impressive Championship record. Despite featuring in only 55 of Norwich’s 92 league matches over two seasons, he’s netted 31 goals — an outstanding average of more than a goal every other game. Since 2022/23, only Joel Piroe has scored more in the division.

At 25, Sargent is eager for a Premier League second chance. He showed promise during his previous top-flight stint in 2021/22, and his improved maturity and goal-scoring consistency now make him an attractive option, reportedly catching the eye of Leeds.

---

Tom Fellows (West Bromwich Albion)

A product of West Brom’s youth academy, winger Tom Fellows elevated his game in the 2024/25 season. He shared the league’s highest assists tally among players (14) and was responsible for nearly a quarter of West Brom’s total goals.

Fellows also made his England U21 debut and earned a spot as an additional training player for the upcoming U21 Euros. His ability to create chances and his pace down the wing have reportedly drawn Everton’s interest.

---

Mihailo Ivanovic (Millwall)

Serbian forward Mihailo Ivanovic has shown notable improvement since Alex Neil took charge at Millwall mid-season. Initially struggling for starts, Ivanovic ended the campaign in prolific form, scoring seven goals in seven consecutive games.

Admiring Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ivanovic models his style after the Fulham striker and has already caught attention from clubs like Wolves. While a Premier League step-up might be early, the signs point to a bright future.

---

Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester City)

Leicester’s young Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss arrived from Belgian side Genk last summer for £21 million. Operating between No. 10 and left-sided No. 8, El Khannouss impressed despite Leicester’s turbulent Championship season.

With 2 goals and 3 assists in a tough campaign, his silky dribbling, vision, and ability to exploit defensive gaps have attracted interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Wolves. At just 20, he could thrive if given another Premier League opportunity.

---

Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough)

Finn Azaz is one of the Championship’s most exciting attacking midfielders. After impressive spells on loan at Plymouth and a permanent move to Middlesbrough, he produced back-to-back seasons with double-digit goals and assists.

Known for his creativity and goal involvement, Azaz is linked with Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Bournemouth. With Middlesbrough missing the playoffs twice by narrow margins, this could be the moment for him to step up to the Premier League.

---

Jack Rudoni (Coventry City)

Coventry signed Jack Rudoni last summer as a replacement for Callum O’Hare, and the midfielder delivered. Given more freedom to advance forward, Rudoni scored 9 goals and provided 12 assists across 43 Championship appearances, ranking among the league’s top players for goal involvement.

Premier League clubs Newcastle and Leeds have reportedly shown interest, while Championship sides Southampton and Leicester hope to keep him for another season. If Rudoni moves on, Coventry stand to make a healthy profit.

---

Jason Knight (Bristol City)

At 24, Jason Knight already boasts over 300 senior appearances and Republic of Ireland caps. His maturity and leadership earned him the Bristol City captaincy last summer, and he played every minute of the 2024/25 Championship season.

Knight excelled in passing and progressive play, ranking highly for passes into the final third and drawing fouls through his combative style. With Bristol City falling short in the playoffs, Premier League clubs including Bournemouth, Everton, Fulham, and Leeds reportedly eye Knight’s services.

---

Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)

Like teammate Finn Azaz, Hayden Hackney has made a name for himself at Middlesbrough. The 22-year-old deep-lying playmaker boasts outstanding stats, including the most progressive passes in Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 — surpassing even Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich.

Hackney’s performances earned him a place in England’s U21 Euros squad and reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. A Premier League move seems imminent.

---

Mateus Fernandes (Southampton)

Despite Southampton’s disastrous 2024/25 season, midfielder Mateus Fernandes stood out. The Portuguese youngster played across midfield and wings, finishing with 3 goals and 6 assists — impressive in a struggling team.

Part of Portugal’s U21 Euros squad, Fernandes has attracted attention from Leeds, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. With Southampton aiming for immediate Premier League return, keeping Fernandes could prove vital — but top-flight suitors are sure to come calling.

---

Conclusion

The 2025 summer transfer window offers Premier League clubs an exciting opportunity to tap into a wealth of talent in the Championship. Players like Gustavo Hamer, Josh Sargent, and Hayden Hackney combine proven quality with potential to thrive in the top flight, while young stars like Bilal El Khannouss and Mateus Fernandes represent long-term investments.

With the Premier League’s relentless pace and physicality demanding adaptable, hungry players, this summer’s crop from the Championship could shape the future landscape of English football. Clubs willing to take calculated risks on these promising individuals may well be rewarded as new stars emerge.