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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Reading to lose key man, Sunderland eye double deal - Championship transfer rumours

The transfer window officially opens tomorrow but it hasn't prevented clubs from making their moves early on to snap up players who are out of contract at the end of this month.

Bristol City have remained one of the most active bringing in both Kal Naismith and Mark Sykes while offers remain in the pipeline for Andy Rinomhota and Kane Wilson.

Cardiff have wasted no time in doing their business, with Callum O'Dowda becoming their fifth arrival of the summer. We will all wait with bated breath as to whether a certain Gareth Bale will return to South Wales to provide competition with the Bristol City man on the left side of midfield.

Just two weeks remain until the fixtures are released and the start of the season will feel as though it's creeping closer and closer with the City players back at the High Performance Centre tomorrow for a series of tests before being allowed another holiday period.

With plenty of work going on behind the scenes, here's some of the Championship rumours from today.

Middlesbrough signing Blackburn defender

Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough have won the transfer race to sign Blackburn's highly-rated defender Darragh Lenihan, according to Football Insider.

The Republic of Ireland international was a wanted man across the Championship as he prepares to leave Ewood Park on a free transfer at the end of the month. It is claimed Lenihan, who has 219 games under his belt at Rovers, has agreed a four-year deal with their league rivals.

Middlesbrough are also reportedly after Newcastle's experienced striker Dwight Gayle who is set to return to the Championship this summer having struggled for game time with the cash-rich Toon.

Darragh Lenihan looks set to join Middlesbrough on a free transfer (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Reading set to lose key man

The Royals almost seem resigned to losing striker Lucas Joao this summer with negotiations to extend his deal beyond 2023 appearing increasingly unlikely.

This summer will be the final chance to cash in on one of their prized assets and it's an opportunity they can't afford to miss out on following their financial turmoil.

Reports from sport journalist Darren Witcoop claim Nottingham Forest are leading the charge for his signature although Watford are also in the mix following their relegation from the Premier League.

Joao, 28, scored 10 league goals in 24 appearances last season. He joined Reading in the summer of 2019 and has scored 38 goals across 80 games for the club. The forward may not be the only player to depart the club with Andy Rinomhota also on Bristol City and Stoke's radar.

Trio of clubs want Luton forward

Luton have already lost Naismith to Bristol City on a free transfer and they are expected to lose striker Danny Hylton also at the end of his contract.

The 33-year-old frontman helped Nathan Jones' side reach the play-offs last season playing a bit-part role in their campaign with 19 appearances in total. He looks set to be heading to League One with Portsmouth, Ipswich and Charlton all looking to make their move, write Football Insider.

It will be a blow for Luton who confirmed last month that they were in negotiations with Hylton to extend his stay.

Sunderland ready to strengthen

Black Cats boss Alex Neil is planning a reunion with his former Norwich players John Ruddy and Josh Murphy as he plots to build a squad capable of Championship survival, according to Norfolk Live.

Ruddy remains available on a free transfer after being released from Wolves and Neil wants a new experienced keeper between the sticks next season. Murphy is also a free agent as of July 1, with the Cardiff winger leaving the Welsh club in the summer.

Murphy had 26 appearances for Norwich under Neil but struggled for gametime last season after being loaned to Preston for the campaign where he came off the substitute bench 12 times.

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