5 championship talents who could secure Premier League moves 

Norwich City v Aston Villa - Premier League
Norwich City v Aston Villa - Premier League

Over the years, several young footballers have burst onto the scene in the Championship and gone on to become key players in the Premier League. The likes of Dele Alli and James Maddison have successfully made the step up to the top-flight and also been capped by the England national team, while the exciting Eberechi Eze seems to be headed in the same direction.

Hailed as one of the most competitive leagues in world football, the Championship is quite the talent hub and currently boasts some of the most exciting players in the country. In the summer of 2020, the likes of Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma and Eze secured big moves to the Premier League and have already shown flashes of their potential.

Here are five more players who could make the step up to the Premier League in the coming months.


#5 Michael Olise | Reading

Reading v Birmingham City - Sky Bet Championship
Reading v Birmingham City - Sky Bet Championship

Michael Olise is already one of the most sought-after players in the Championship and has delivered a string of magnificent displays for Reading this season. The young attacking midfielder has already been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea and could well be the subject of a massive bidding war in the summer.

The 19-year-old's international future is also undecided, with as many as four countries in Nigeria, England, France and Algeria vying for his services. Olise has shown maturity well beyond his years and gave the perfect response when asked about his preferred position.

“My best position? Any position the manager tells me to play. At my age, I think it's important to spend time on the pitch because it's the best place to learn and develop your game.”

The youngster has four goals and eight assists in 22 appearances in the Championship this season and is one of the most coveted prospects outside the Premier League.


#4 David Raya | Brentford

West Bromwich Albion v Brentford - Carabao Cup Third Round
West Bromwich Albion v Brentford - Carabao Cup Third Round

David Raya is a household name in the Championship and has represented the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Southport and Brentford in his career so far. The Spanish goalkeeper was one of the key players in Brentford's push for promotion last season and was a wanted man in the summer, with Premier League giants Arsenal vying for his signature.

After Emiliano Martinez was sold to Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta was desperate to snap up Raya as his #2 goalkeeper. However, the move failed to materialize and the Gunners ended up signing Icelandic goalkeeper Alex Runarsson, who has endured a torrid spell so far at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are likely to rekindle their pursuit of Raya in the summer and the 25-year-old has proved that he deserves to make the step up to the Premier League.


#3 Max Aarons | Norwich City

Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City - Sky Bet Championship
Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City - Sky Bet Championship

Max Aarons is another exciting young player who has turned heads across Europe, with the young full-back impressing for Norwich City in the Canaries' short stint in the Premier League. Blessed with electric pace, Aarons has the required physique to compete with the best in the business and has also shown that he is a good crosser of the ball.

His full-back partner Jamal Lewis secured a Premier League move last summer, as he moved to Newcastle United after Liverpool opted against meeting Norwich's price tag. Aarons could follow his mate to the top-flight later this year, with Manchester United reportedly leading the race to snap him up.

The young Englishman has been one of the best players in the Championship this season and is an indispensable member of Daniel Farke's side.


#2 Ismaila Sarr | Watford

Watford v Cardiff City - Sky Bet Championship
Watford v Cardiff City - Sky Bet Championship

Ismaila Sarr was hailed as one of the biggest talents in world football before his move to England, so the fact that Watford snapped him up is a massive coup in itself. The Hornets smashed their transfer record to sign the Senegalese winger in the summer of 2019 and it could be argued that they are yet to see his best at the club.

Despite blowing hot and cold last season, Sarr was Watford's standout player and scored a memorable brace against Premier League champions Liverpool, as he helped his side to a stunning 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road.

The tricky winger was a transfer target for Liverpool, but the Reds opted to sign Diogo Jota instead, as Watford refused to budge on their asking price. Nevertheless, Sarr is still held in good regard by several big clubs across the continent and could well be on the move at the end of the season.


#1 Emiliano Buendia | Norwich City

Norwich City v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship
Norwich City v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship

Emiliano Buendia is the hottest property in the Championship currently and is enjoying the most productive season of his professional career. The Argentine midfielder is one of the best creators around, with Arsenal reportedly leading the race to secure his signature.

The Gunners are set to finalize Mesut Ozil's departure this week and are on the lookout for an attacking midfielder to fill his void. Buendia impressed in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season and has led from the front for Norwich once again this season, having chipped in with seven goals and assists apiece in 20 appearances so far.

The 24-year-old is a top talent and is likely to leave Carrow Road this summer for greener pastures.

Quick Links

Edited by Vishal Subramanian