The new season has already started for EFL clubs and the end of the transfer window is now fast approaching.
The window slams shut three weeks today - at 11pm on Tuesday, August 31.
Of course, Premier League clubs' transfer dealings usually have a knock-on effect to those in the Championship and so any movement involving the most highly-rated players in the second tier could be dragged out until the final few days or even hours of the window.
Due to the effect of the pandemic, there hasn't been as many big-money deals this summer but that could all change before the month is out.
Here, we look at half-a-dozen EFL players who could be on the move before the window shuts.
Aaron Ramsdale
The Sheffield United goalkeeper has been linked all summer with a move to Premier League side Arsenal.
Ramsdale endured a rollercoaster campaign in 2020-21, suffering relegation with the Blades but winning a number of personal plaudits for his performances.
Those showings earned him a place in the senior England squad for the summer's Euros. A price tag of around £25-30million has been touted with Mikel Arteta actively searching for a new stopper to compete with Bernd Leno.
Sander Berge
Ramsdale's United colleague has also been linked with a move to the Emirates as well as Italian outfit Napoli.
Recruited just over 18 months ago for a then-club record fee, Berge has yet to enjoy a clear run in the United team owing to the pandemic and then injury. United have insisted they are under no financial pressure to cash in on their most valuable asset, but are realistic enough to know that a certain figure would trigger the brokering of an agreement.
Berge played all 90 minutes for United in their season-opening defeat to Birmingham last weekend but is unlikely to be risked in tonight's EFL Cup tie with Carlisle.
Matt Grimes
Swansea's classy midfielder has been talked up with a move to EFL rivals Fulham.
Grimes, City's captain, has entered the final year of his contract and as such this window represents the last chance for his current employers to cash in.
New Swans' boss Russell Martin was quizzed on Grimes prior to their first game at Blackburn last week, which Grimes started, and said: "He’s a fantastic player. If it comes to a point where Matt has left it’s because the deal is right for the football club and it means we can use that to help us out in other areas."
Sam Johnstone
Like Berge and Ramsdale, West Brom's Johnstone is another player to be linked with a move back to the top flight after tasting relegation.
The stopper was one of the busiest in the top flight last season and a clutch of teams, including Arsenal and West Ham have been known to be monitoring his situation.
The 28-year-old sat on the bench for Albion's first game last week and there has even been reports suggesting he could extend his deal at the Hawthorns.
New boss Valerien Ismael is said to have been encouraged by Johnstone’s attitude and his desire to travel south having come back to training late into pre-season - which could mean potential suitors have to wait until January or next summer for a possible approach.
David Brooks
To the surprise of many onlookers, the talented Welsh international is still at AFC Bournemouth.
Despite showing undoubted skill and trickery it is puzzling that nobody from the Premier League has decided to take a punt on Brooks since the Cherries' relegation in 2020.
Of course, new Bournemouth chief Scott Parker will be desperate to hang on to one of his star assets but as the window closure edges nearer it would be a shock if no club tested that resolve.
Adam Armstrong
Of those on this list, this one looks a cert. Indeed, Southampton are believed to be putting the finishing touches to getting a deal for Blackburn striker Armstrong completed.
The 24-year-old sat out of Rovers' first game of the campaign last week and looks destined for a big-money move to the South Coast.
He scored a whopping 29 goals in all competitions last season and will be looking to fill the boots of Danny Ings upon his impending move to St Mary's.
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