Whether it’s promotion hopefuls planning for life in the big time, those aspiring to be there next season, or those at the bottom there is a need to begin the work for next season now and so the rumour mill begins to work in overdrive.
Here is the latest transfer gossip from the second tier...
Leeds keen on free transfer
We start at the top of the table where Leeds United have their eye on an international midfielder according to the Daily Star . The man they are after is none other than Stefan Johansen. The Fulham midfielder’s contract is due to expire in the summer and, according to Football Insider , Leeds are ready to pounce and bring him in on a free transfer.
He is currently on loan at rivals West Bromwich Albion, but a return to the Premier League may be the best offer he will receive as he seeks stability.
Mike van der Hoorn makes Huw Jenkins contract revelation as Swansea City talks stall
Villa dealt van der Hoorn blow
Defender Mike van der Hoorn has dealt Aston Villa a blow by revealing he's happy under Graham Potter at Swansea City. Villa made a late play for the centre-back in January and plan to return in the summer.
He gave an update on contract talks after his side's defeat to Nottingham Forest.
"It's quiet. I'm playing my game and we'll see at the end of the season. I can't tell you much more," said the Dutchman of his future.
"I think it's from Swansea, the option, so it's not my option. They're going to decide if they want to have me for longer.
"There were talks when Huw Jenkins was here that we would extend the contract by two more years. Obviously he has gone and I haven't heard anything yet so we will see.
"I've got my ambitions and we just need to be on the same page."
But he remains happy in SA1. "It's very enjoyable," he added.
"If you see me play, I play with more courage and I'm enjoying it more."
Forest star set to leave
Another player almost certainly on his way out of the Championship is Diogo Gonvalves. The 23-year-old is unlikely to remain at Nottingham Forest beyond the end of his loan spell from Benfica according to the Nottingham Post . That comes after Martin O’Neill dropped a strong hint that the Portuguese is likely to head back to his homeland in the summer as promotion slips away from the club.
Rondon delay
Goncalves won’t be the only man eager to leave the Championship this summer, as Salomon Rondon plans for his next move. The Venezuelan, on loan from West Brom, will be in the final 12 months of his deal come the summer, and it’s clear he wants to relocate to Tyneside and Newcastle United.
Despite this, Rafa Benitez says he and Rondon, 29, have decided to postpone the on-loan Venezuela striker’s contract talks until the end of the season according to the Newcastle Chronicle .
Elsewhere, Derby County have identified Colchester’s Sammie Szmodics. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Bournemouth, but according to the Daily Mail the attacker is also interesting Derby, Bristol and Hull in the Championship.
The attacker has 12 goals for the club this season.
Happe race is on
Norwich City have joined Premier League duo Wolves and Brighton in the hunt for Leyton Orient ace Dan Happe, a 20-year-old defender who has caught the eye since the turn of the year, the Sun reports.
Happe has impressed since forcing his way into the first-team, helping the O’s in their bid to return to the Football League for the first time since their relegation from League Two in 2017 and making 13 appearances.
Graham Potter's telling Premier League comment following Swansea City's loss to Nottingham Forest
