10 hottest Championship prospects attracting Premier League transfer attention

The transfer market is well and truly open with this week already seeing a number of high-profile signings.

Monday saw Gabriel Jesus complete his £45million switch to Arsenal from Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side made up for that loss by splashing out the same amount on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Other big names to have moved this window include Sadio Mane, Romelu Lukaku and Darwin Nunez.

But what about the avenues that the Championship opens up to top-flight sides? Here, Mirror Football runs the rule over 10 players plying their trade in the second tier who are attracting admiring glances from Premier League clubs.

Sander Berge

The Norwegian midfielder joined Sheffield United in early 2020 for what was then a club-record fee. He has impressed fleetingly, with injuries affecting his first year or so at Bramall Lane. Last season he was more consistent and played a big role in Paul Heckingbottom's side reaching the Championship play-offs.

An imposing figure in the middle of the park he's been linked with plenty of Premier League sides since United exited the top flight. Leeds are said to be closely monitoring him following their decision to sanction the sale of Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City.

Ben Brereton-Diaz

Last season was a breakthrough campaign for the Blackburn Rovers man. His newly-found fame on the international scene with Chile saw him turn into one of the Championship's most lethal finishers.

He netted 22 goals - by far and away his most prolific campaign - and Rovers were wisely quick to trigger a contract extension amid heightened interest. Southampton, Newcastle and Italian side Salernitana have all been reported to be seriously interested in the 23-year-old.

Maxwell Cornet

One of the few Burnley players to emerge from last season with much credit, Cornet was the Clarets' stand-out performer in a campaign that culminated in relegation.

He scored nine goals and registered two assists in his maiden campaign at Turf Moor. Sadly for Burnley fans, it could turn out to be the only glimpse they get of him with Chelsea now the surprise contenders to win the race for him.

Emmanuel Dennis

The Nigeria striker was by far and away Watford's best player in a dismal season. He scored 10 goals and registered six assists to finish top of both charts, even in a hugely under-performing Hornets squad.

Unsurprisingly there is plenty of interest from top-flight clubs with Everton said to be preparing a bid for him, as they look to replace the Richarlison-shaped hole in their squad.

Keane Lewis-Potter

Lewis-Potter is only 21 but has already made over 100 league appearances for hometown club Hull City. He has caught the eye with some impressive performances last term, playing every single game as City sealed survival in their first season back in the Championship.

Brentford have been heavily linked with a swoop for the England under-21 ace, with a £20m fee reportedly having been lodged.

Dwight McNeil

Another Burnley wideman who looks highly likely to stay in the Premier League as his employers depart it. McNeil is only 22 but has already surpassed 130 Premier League appearances and there will doubtless be top-flight clubs sniffing around.

Crystal Palace and West Ham are the latest duo to be rumoured with a move.

Lewis O'Brien

Huddersfield midfielder O'Brien is a tireless worker in the Terriers' engine room and played a major role in their march to last season's Championship play-off final.

Ironically the team that ended his hopes of a Premier League return - Nottingham Forest - are now said to be interested in signing him for their top-flight return. They would be getting a superb prospect but are unlikely to be on their own in wanting to sign the 23-year-old.

Ismaila Sarr

Another Watford player who many expect to leave. Sarr stuck around for the club's last season in the Championship but do not be surprised to see him move to pastures new.

His wing ability is undoubted and there is a reason the Hornets forked out a club-record fee to sign him back in 2019. Newcastle are said to be looking into the possibility of luring him to the North East.

Djed Spence

Arguably the hottest prospect in the Championship right now, Spence actually saw his market value shoot through the roof during a spell out on loan away from his parent club Middlesbrough.

Spence's contribution to Nottingham Forest's promotion was as big as any, with some outstanding individual moments culminating in their play-off final win over Huddersfield. Tottenham are said to be close to a deal with Boro, but while ever it remains uncompleted, other top-flight clubs always have the chance of scuppering Spurs' chances.

Harry Toffolo

Huddersfield's Toffolo has been one of the stand-out defenders in the Championship over the past two years. His energy and work rate are unquestionable but he has started to also add goals to his game, despite being a full-back/wing-back.

He scored six last season including a purple patch of five goals in seven games. Forest, who beat the Terriers at Wembley in May, are said to be keen on a deal for the 26-year-old.