Ranked! Photos of every Championship club’s record transfer and how Sunderland, Sheffield United, Watford and West Brom players have fared - gallery
The January transfer window is just a month away - will any Championship side break their record transfer when it opens?
By Joe Buck
Published 1st Dec 2022, 18:30 BST
January is a notoriously difficult time for clubs to conclude transfers as prices soar and teams encounter reluctance from selling teams to negotiate deals.
However, it does provide managers an opportunity to strengthen their squad ahead of a crucial period of the season.
Sunderland were active last winter window and brought in a core of players that would, ultimately, help lead them to promotion from League One - and it’s a window they are still benefiting from now.
But will any Championship club look to spend big this window and could we see some existing club record fees being smashed as clubs go in search of that big difference maker?
Here, using data provided by Transfermarkt, we rank every Championship club’s record purchase by value and see how their various career paths played out following their move.
Sunderland were active last winter window and brought in a core of players that would, ultimately, help lead them to promotion from League One - and it’s a window they are still benefiting from now.
21. Swansea City - Andre Ayew (€22.8million)
Ayew initially joined the Swans on a free transfer in 2015 but spent just one season in south Wales before moving to West Ham. He then spent 18 months at the London Stadium before rejoining Swansea in January 2018. A loan move to Fenerbahce followed, before two more years at his parent club. Ayew joined Qatar side Al-Sadd last summer and is currently representing Ghana at the World Cup. Photo: Julian Finney
Imbula spent just 18 months at Stoke City before moving on loan to Toulouse in August 2017. Stoke’s relegation to the Championship signalled the end of his time at the club with spells in Italy, France, Russia and Portugal to follow. He left Portimonense as a free agent this summer. Photo: Ian MacNicol
23. Sheffield United - Rhian Brewster (€26million)
Brewster has struggled whilst at Bramall Lane and has netted just once in the league this campaign. His move from Liverpool hasn’t worked out as planned at the Blades, however, at just 22 years of age, Brewster still has time to transform his career. Photo: Nathan Stirk
Watford’s record purchase is still at the club, and is currently into his fourth season with the club. Sarr’s good form for his club has meant he has routinely been linked with a move away from Vicarage Road. Photo: Ryan Hiscott