Every summer, there is a free agent that Championship clubs covet, and in 2026, Dan Neil appears to be that player. The midfielder will leave Sunderland when his contract expires in June, having spent the second half of the season on loan at promotion-chasing Ipswich Town. A place in the Premier League with Ipswich is still possible for Neil if results go their way at Portman Road this week.
If Neil faces another season in the Championship, Birmingham City should go all out for a player proven at this level who still has his best years ahead of him. The 24-year-old has made 150 appearances in the Championship and experienced both a successful and unsuccessful play-off campaign.
Recently relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers have already expressed interest in Neil, and all teams aiming for promotion next season will likely ask the question. The same applies to several others in the premium free agent bracket.
Goalkeeper Options
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow's contract at Leeds United expires this summer, and he has two Championship promotions on his CV. Darlow recently became Leeds' number one in the Premier League, and a new contract could be forthcoming. If not, Darlow will have Championship suitors. Blues need a new goalkeeper as James Beadle's loan ends, and Darlow, 35, is an experienced option.
Defensive Targets
Blues need at least one central defender to replace Jonathan Panzo. A left-footed option might be higher on the agenda, but right-footed Dael Fry is among the best centre-backs at this level. Fry's contract at boyhood club Middlesbrough expires this summer. While he has an injury history, he has played 28 Championship games this season.
Midfield Reinforcements
Midfield requires attention for Blues, with Tommy Doyle returning to Wolves, Jhon Solis's future uncertain, and Tomoki Iwata recently dubbed a right-back who can play in midfield by Chris Davies. Josh Laurent, 30, is a different profile of midfielder to Neil but equally effective in the Championship. Blues looked at Laurent during their ambitious 2024 summer window, but he chose Burnley and played 42 league games in their promotion-winning season. Another 30 Premier League appearances followed, and Laurent has become a fixture in the Clarets' XI. He could stay at Turf Moor, but an experienced player capable of playing right-back and central defence will attract interest.
Jefferson Lerma is also expected to command attention. His level might not drop back to the Championship, a league he won promotion from with Bournemouth in 2021/22. Now at Crystal Palace, where he won the FA Cup last year, Lerma has made 15 Premier League starts this season.
Attacking Additions
Finally, Blues' attack needs a reshuffle this summer, and Ross Stewart could become available if Southampton win promotion back to the Premier League. Stewart has overcome injury issues to become a force for Southampton again, with seven goals and three assists in 905 minutes of Championship football this term. If Southampton don't exercise their 12-month option, clubs will queue up to sign him. Blues have Jay Stansfield and August Priske locked in for next season, but they will need another option if Marvin Ducksch or Kyogo Furuhashi move on.
