The new Championship season is just days away as all of the hope of expectation continues to grow at clubs across English football’s second tier.
New signings have been made, the friendly fixtures are completed and the stresses and strains of pre-season training have all been focused towards being fully prepared this coming weekend when the new campaign gets underway.
For Blackpool, that means a home game against Reading as Michael Appleton’s side look to improve on last season’s lower mid-table finish and push up towards the top half this season.
Appleton has been active in the transfer market with Manchester City youngster Lewis Fiorini and Liverpool defender Rhys Williams both moving to Bloomfield Road on loan during the close-season - but a move for one potential new addition looks to have fallen through in unfortunate circumstances.
The Gazette takes a look at the latest transfer speculation surrounding the Seasiders and their Championship rivals.
1. Future remains unclear for QPR defender
QPR manager Michael Beale has confirmed ‘no decision’ has been made on the future of defender Conor Masterson (West London Sport) Photo: George Wood
2. Royals set to sign former Terriers star
Reading have agreed a deal to sign former Huddersfield Town centre-back Naby Sarr after he left the Terriers last month (Football Insider) Photo: Gareth Copley
3. Clarets midfielder has new interest
Shrewsbury Town are the latest club to show an interest in Burnley midfielder Adam Phillips (Shropshire Star) Photo: Pete Norton
4. Boro want to take £8m Premier League striker on loan
Middlesbrough are thought to be interested in signing Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham this summer, a year after he joined the Cottagers for £8m (Northern Echo) Photo: Getty Images
5. Rovers academy product ‘probably’ heading for exit
Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has admitted defender Tyler Magloire has interest from other clubs and will ‘probably’ leave Ewood Park this summer (Lancs Live) Photo: Getty Images
6. Championship quartet all in for Manchester United prospect
Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Millwall and West Brom are all keen on a loan deal for Manchester United prospect Hannibal Mejbri (Sky Sports) Photo: Getty Images