The transfer window is expected to heat up in the coming weeks, as clubs make concrete plans for the new season.
Business in the Championship has been relatively slow so far, with a clutch of clubs yet to make any signings whatsoever.
Due to the ongoing impact of Covid on club coffers, the free agent and loan markets look even more appealing this summer.
With regards to the latter, every year there are examples of canny loan arrangements that can help a club in their aims whether it is to be promoted, reach the play-offs or stay up.
Last season, for example, saw Oliver Skipp help Norwich win the title, Conor Hourihane aided Swansea in their push for the top-six and Matt Clarke was a mainstay as Derby County preserved their second tier status.
All three were borrowed from Premier League sides - Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton respectively - and made a big impact during their spells away.
Here, we look at five players top flight players who could be plying their trade in the Championship next season.
Trevoh Chalobah
The Chelsea man has spent three separate spells away from Stamford Bridge.
Last season he was in France with Lorient, with previous loan stays in the EFL at Ipswich and Huddersfield.
Now 22, a clutch of Championship teams are said to be interested in luring Chalobah for another season-long loan including freshly-relegated West Brom.
Would add plenty of bite to the engine room.
James Garner
The Manchester United midfielder has a budding reputation, and he enhanced that in the second half of last season.
He excelled at Nottingham Forest, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. That followed a spell at Watford in the first half of the season.
Still only 20, Garner is highly-rated at Old Trafford but another loan spell looks on the cards.
Swansea City have been heavily linked with him but they are likely to be rivalled for his signature.
Harry Wilson
The Welsh midfielder spent last season at Cardiff - his fifth loan spell away from parent club Liverpool.
He scored seven in 37 for the Bluebirds and went on to represent his country at the Euros but his future looks destined to be away from Anfield.
Plenty of clubs would like him on loan, including Fulham and ex-club Bournemouth. The stumbling block is likely to be not only his wages but the fact that Liverpool appear reticent to continue sending him out on loan.
Ideally, the Reds would like a permanent deal which may well be beyond EFL clubs this summer.
Liam Delap
Manchester City youngster Delap is in big demand this summer.
The 18-year-old was one of the stars of the under-23 title-winning team last season after scoring 27 goals in 24 games for the side.
His performances certainly alerted manager Pep Guardiola, who handed a senior debut to the son of former Stoke City defender Rory, appearing three times for the first team.
But ample Championship clubs want to take him on loan - it remains to be seen whether Guardiola will sanction such a move.
Folarin Balogun
The Arsenal forward signed a four-year deal earlier this year to bat away speculation over his future.
Aged 20, Balogun is on the cusp of the first team at the Emirates but a temporary spell away might well be in Mikel Arteta's mind with a view on his long-term development.
If that is the case then expect plenty of Championship sides to be interested in the hitman.
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