The Championship is the best stage for talented young people to grow up and show their talents away from the Premier League spotlight. As the pressure eased, many players thrived and gained the game time they needed to be good players. In recent years, the Championship has become a stepping stone towards the top flight. James Madison, Eberic Ezer and Adam Webster have all signed for Premier League clubs after their performances in the Championship, while Reese James, Mason Mount and Mark Gei have all had excellent loan seasons in the Championship. However, with their contracts at their respective clubs set to expire in June, several of the current Championship stars will become free agents this summer. Becoming free agents can offer Premier League clubs a more economical option for this summer's summer window programme.
Ben Brilton Diaz (Blackburn)
Although Ben Brilton Diaz's contract expires in just a few months, his valuation is still 7.1 million euros, according to the European transfer website, which shows his current level of talent. Since deciding to represent Chile in international competitions, Brilton Diaz has reached new heights. The striker has never scored more than seven league goals in a season before this year, but he has scored 20 goals in the Championship this season. He is the league's third-leading scorer, behind only Mitrovic and Sorank, who reportedly attracted Brighton's interest. With Harvey Elliott returning to Liverpool and Adam Armstrong joining Southampton, Brilton Diaz single-handedly provoking the attack in Blackburn was admirable. Without his goal, they wouldn't even have a chance to advance to the play-offs.
Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion)
The West Brom goalkeeper has excelled in the Premier League and was named to England's Euro 2021 squad but could miss the World Cup if he stays in the Championship. West Brom's current slippage in the standings means there are few hopes of promotion this season, with Johnstone needing to move to the top clubs this summer. He will most likely have suitors because he doesn't have to pay a transfer fee and is a very reliable option. His current transfer value is €4.8 million, but that number would rise if he moved this summer.
Jed Wallace (Millwall)
The winger has been playing for Millwall since completing his permanent transfer since 2017 and has previously been on loan twice, meaning he has now integrated into the squad. Wallace is likely to re-sign a new contract after playing nearly 250 games for Millwall, but he may want a new adventure, a chance to play in the Premier League. Considering his 28-year-old age, this could be his last chance to sign for a top club. He scored 10 goals and 6 assists in the Championship last season and so far this season he has scored 6 goals and 9 assists. It is quite possible that both the league goals and assists will reach double digits, and if that happens, he will be on the Premier League side's signing list. He may not have the qualities of a starting player, but he could be a reliable rotation option for the team in the second half. His current transfer valuation is €3.5 million.
John Swift (Reading)
If it weren't for Mitrovic's performance this season, the best player in the Championship this season might be Swift. The midfielder, a product of Chelsea's prestigious Cobham Academy, joined Reading from the Blues back in 2016 and has made almost 200 appearances in all of the club's competitions. However, this year was his best year. The 26-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted 13 in 35 Championship games, notably in his position in the squad as a midfielder. He is at the creative heart of Reading and is expected to be a good Premier League player this summer. After a long wait, he was finally ready to reach the top flight. His valuation is only €2.2 million as his contract is about to expire, but that value will soar if he joins the Premier League side.
Fabio Carvalho (Fulham)
Fabio Carvalho was just a few hours away from joining Liverpool in January, but a deal broke down at the last minute. That means he stays in Fulham for the time being, but he is expected to finally join Klopp's side this summer. The Portugal U21 international, who played for England under the U16, U17 and U18 teams, played for the youth team at Fulham and made his league debut last year. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has a natural sense of scoring goals, having scored seven goals and assisted six goals in the Championship so far this season, it looks like he will follow in the footsteps of Javi Elliott and leave Fulham to join Liverpool as a rising star.