5 players on Premier League January transfer wishlists including Chile star

The January transfer window is fast approaching.

Clubs in the Premier League will have already formulated their New Year shopping lists and don't be surprised to see a few players currently plying their trade in the Championship being targeted.

The second tier has often been a fruitful port of call for top-flight teams in recent windows

In the summer we saw the likes of Emi Buendia and Michael Olise make the step up to the Premier League and scouts from the so-called elite have been regulars at games around the Championship this term, looking for the next breakout star.

Mirror Football takes a look at five Championships stars who have made clubs take notice in recent months and who could be set for pastures new next month... if the price is right.

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Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth)

Defender Kelly has impressed this season for the promotion-chasing Cherries.

He was signed for the club in 2019 by Eddie Howe. And the recently-installed Newcastle boss has been heavily linked with a January swoop for the 23-year-old, left-sided defender.

He has shown plenty of promise during his time at the Vitality Stadium but a move back to the top flight with Newcastle would surely appeal.

However, any potential suitors are likely to have to fork out for Kelly who signed an undisclosed "long-term contract" with Bournemouth upon joining.

Fabio Carvalho (Fulham)

The 19-year-old has made a major breakthrough this season with the Cottagers.

He's notched four times already as Marco Silva's side aim for an immediate return back to the top flight.

But rumours have swirled around regarding the Portuguese attacker's future all season.

He is said to have numerous admirers, both in England and on the continent. Chelsea are reportedly the latest club to be keeping tabs on Carvalho, with Real Madrid and West Ham also name-checked in recent weeks.

Ben Brereton Diaz (Blackburn)

What a difference six months makes.

Ben Brereton Diaz, as he is now known, is not only a cult hero in his adopted homeland of Chile but he has become one of the most lethal strikers outside the Premier League.

He has 17 goals already in the second tier already - as many as he had scored in his five previous full seasons in the division for Rovers and Nottingham Forest.

His contract at Ewood Park is up in the summer but the club have a one-year option in place, which they can trigger. That is unlikely, however, to stop clubs trying their luck in January.

His manager Tony Mowbray recently spoke on the issue, saying: "If Brereton goes, the first question in my mind is how much of the money are we getting? Or are we not seeing any of it?"

If Rovers look to cash in, Mowbray may be forced to make do with what he's given.

John Swift (Reading)

For many years Swift has been a class act at Championship level.

Still only 26, he's now in his sixth season at Reading. And he's already notched up eight league goals, level with his best-ever tally for a campaign.

But it's not just his goalscoring prowess from midfield that has caught the eye. He's weighed in with a whopping nine assists this term, the joint-highest in the second tier.

Leeds and Sheffield United were heavily linked with a move for Swift last season and given Reading's troublesome financial position, there could be plenty more top flight sides sniffing around in the New Year for a potential bargain.

Sam Johnstone (West Brom)

There were strong rumours that Johnstone would depart Albion in the summer, following their relegation.

Moves to Arsenal and West Ham were mooted but nothing came of it, with the former signing Aaron Ramsdale instead.

Since returning to the Hawthorns after being in the England camp for the Euros, Johnstone has played all but one Championship game. His form and attitude has impressed the Baggies' boss Valerien Ismael but he may now face a fight to keep the 28-year-old.

He is out of contract this summer and therefore the Baggies may well be forced to cash in in January, with Southampton the latest club to be linked with a swoop amid 'keeper issues of their own.