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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Sunderland want Tottenham starlet, Preston eye West Brom striker - Championship rumours

The season is less than three weeks away and after the initial flurry of early deals as players approaching the end of their contracts ironed out their futures, transfers across the Championship have gone relatively quiet.

With the transfer window open until September 1 and money being exchanged with the majority of free agents being snapped up, it comes as no surprise given the financial restraints that continue to shackle clubs.

Buying clubs obviously want the best deal available while selling clubs can play hardball often with an added necessity to find time to land a replacement. That could reflect in Bristol City's current transfer state of play with Nigel Pearson still very much in the market for a defender and midfielder.

As the manager put it himself, a lot depends on the outgoings and the futures of Han-Noah Massengo, Zak Vyner, Max O'Leary and Nahki Wells all remain unclear as we approach the new season.

Wells in particular is likely to rumble on until the end of the window with Preston keen but manager Ryan Lowe looks to have a new target lined up. Here's the latest Championship transfer rumours...

Preston want West Brom striker

Preston boss Ryan Lowe has declared his interest in signing West Brom's striker Callum Robinson, which could also have an impact on his interest in Wells.

Bristol Live have confirmed Lowe is looking towards the Bristol City striker but Antoine Semenyo's injury, his wages and the fact Preston aren't willing to fork out a fee for a 32-year-old entering the final year of his contract complicate matters.

Now it seems the Preston manager is ready to bolster his strikeforce with a different target in the former Deepdale man Robinson. He was quizzed on the transfer speculation, in which he told LancsLive: "Callum Robinson, if he becomes available, who wouldn't look at Callum Robinson?

"He is a fantastic player and PNE fans love him, so why wouldn't anyone be interested in him? If he became available, of course we'd be interested in him, like everyone else would be."

Coventry make move for Derby talent

The Sky Blues are ready to raid their Midland rivals by looking to sign Derby's talented midfielder Max Bird, according to Football Insider.

Bird, 21, is expected to leave the Rams this summer following their relegation despite the new takeover bid being completed last week. Derby have wasted no time in fixing their squad having signed James Chester, Conor Hourihane, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, David McGoldrick, Haydon Roberts, Joe Wilsmith and Tom Barkhuizen.

Bird featured heavily last campaign under Wayne Rooney, making 41 starts. He's also made over 100 league appearances in the second tier having become an established Championship player.

The youngster still has two-years left on his contract at Derby and would therefore demand a substantial fee considering their completed takeover and the number of players they've lost on a free transfer this summer.

Coventry want to sign Max Bird (James Gill/Getty Images)

Middlesbrough pull out of Gayle chase

Middlesbrough will opt against signing Newcastle's experienced forward Dwight Gayle, according to Football Insider. They claim Boro chairman Steve Gibson is reluctant to sanction the deal because he wants to limit the signing of players over the age of 30.

Newcastle are eager to allow Gayle to leave the Toon having fallen down the pecking order. West Brom and Watford are also believed to be interested in the 32-year-old although his wages could prove to be a stumbling block.

City fans won't want to be reminded of the transfer saga that followed when the Robins came on the brink of signing him back in 2015. After having a £6m bid accepted under Steve Cotterill, the player turned down the move to fight for his place in the Crystal Palace side.

Sunderland in Championship race for Spurs striker

The Black Cats have already made the move to sign rapid winger Jack Clarke from Tottenham on a four-year deal and now they want to return to bolster their strike force.

The Sunday World report how Sunderland are one of three clubs looking at forward Troy Parrott who is expected to have another season out on loan. He was most recently with MK Dons.

They add that Preston and QPR are also looking at the 20-year-old's availability. Michael Beale's QPR could be ahead of the race because it would mean Parrott wouldn't need to leave his London base.

Parrott scored 10 goals in all competitions for MK Dons last season and a switch to the Championship would be a natural next step in his development.

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