Kieran McKenna will be looking to add at least one centre-back to his squad this summer. Stuart Watson takes a look at some potential options.
EIRAN CASHIN
The 21-year-old started 50 games for Derby County last season and really caught the eye.
A left-footer who possesses physical and technical qualities, the Rams will do well to fend off interest in a player who now enters the final year of his contract.
“He's a great kid who trains really hard,” said Derby boss Paul Warne. “I was a centre-forward and I wouldn't want him breathing down my neck for 95 minutes.”
Picked up Championship experience in 2021/22 and has been capped four times by the Republic of Ireland U21s.
SONNY BRADLEY
Luton have released their club captain after securing promotion to the Premier League.
Over his five years at the club, the 6ft 5in defender played an integral role in helping the Hatters reach and become established in the Championship.
Former Ipswich manager Paul Cook pushed hard to bring Bradley to Portman Road during his squad rebuild of 2021.
Was restricted to 14 league starts last season after suffering a knee fracture in November. Turns 32 in September.
TOMAS KALAS
The 28-cap Czech international has spent the last eight seasons playing in the Championship at Middlesbrough, Fulham and Bristol City.
The Robins paid £8m to turn his loan from Chelsea permanent in 2019, but the 30-year-old is now out of contract at Ashton Gate after knee and groin injuries restricted him to two league starts last season.
Manager Nigel Pearson explained: “There's been a (contract) offer. We as a club have to be mindful of all the financial issues that we've had and, bearing in mind his availability this year has been low, we'll just see where it goes.”
Bristol City have signed two centre-backs already this summer in Haydon Roberts (Brighton, free) and Rob Dickie (QPR, £1m).
AXEL TUANZEBE
DR Congo born defender became Manchester United’s youngest captain since Norman Whiteside when wearing the armband in a League Cup tie aged 21.
By that point he’d already had a season-long loan spell in the Championship with Aston Villa.
After being on the fringes of the United first team for two seasons, Tuanzebe has spent the last two seasons out on loan – back at Villa (this time in the Premier League), at Italian side Napoli and, most recently, in the Championship with Stoke. A back injury has slowed his progress.
A player Kieran McKenna worked with at youth and first team level. Now 25 years old and a free agent.
CALEB TAYLOR
The 20-year-old captained West Brom at U18 and U23 level and was handed his senior Baggies debut as a sub in a League Cup game against Arsenal.
Impressed on loan at League One club Cheltenham Town last season, starting 45 times for the Robins.
“This loan has given me a lot of experience to help me potentially come back to Albion and play,” said the 6ft 2in youngster, who is the son of former Birmingham defender Martin Taylor.
Cheltenham report Jon Palmer said: “He just looks like he's cruising through games. He's really looked the part.”
BOBBY THOMAS
Burnley youngster, 22, has just had a very impressive six-month loan spell at Barnsley.
The former Everton man is yet to play at second-tier level having previously had spells at Barrow and Bristol Rovers.
Now in the final year of his contract at Turf Moor and it’s unlikely he’ll be in the first team picture this coming season following the Clarets’ promotion to the Premier League.
Barnsley would have had an option to buy Thomas had they beaten Sheffield Wednesday in the League One Play-Off Final.
LEWIS GIBSON
The 22-year-old Everton youngster has just had an outstanding season-long loan spell at Bristol Rovers.
Manager Joey Barton said: “We’d love him to stay at the football club, I think he knows exactly how we feel about him, but if somebody comes from higher up with a bigger budget and the opportunity to play in the Championship, it’s going to be tricky.”
The Toffees have offered Gibson a new contract. Whether he signs that, and goes out for a fifth loan (following previous temporary spells at Fleetwood, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday), or rejects it to find a new permanent home remains to be seen.
Ipswich were close to signing the left-footer in January 2020, under Paul Lambert’s management, and showed interest again in the summer of 2021, when Paul Lambert was in charge.
RHYS WILLIAMS
Won the FA Youth Cup with Liverpool and, following a loan at non-league club Kidderminster, made his senior debut for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the League Cup age 19.
Injuries at the back meant Williams was called upon to be a regular Premier League starter at the end of the 2020/21 season. Klopp hailed his concentration levels and organisational skills.
Game time was limited during a subsequent season-long loan spell at Swansea (five starts). He then spent the first half of last season at Blackpool (13 starts).
It’s been reported that Liverpool will sell the 22-year-old, who is contracted at Anfield until 2026, this summer.
LUKE MCNALLY
Oxford United took a punt on the 6ft 4in defender in January 2021 following his impressive form for St Patrick’s Athletic. He quickly impressed, scoring a last minute leveller to break Ipswich hearts at the Kassam Stadium.
That summer, new Burnley boss Vincent Kompany shelled out £2m to bring McNally to a team looking to bounce straight back into the Premier League.
With game time proving difficult at the high-flying Clarets he joined Coventry City on loan in January and played a key role in them reaching the Play-Off Final.
The 23-year-old, who still has three years left on his contract, says he would be open to a return to the Sky Blues. Ipswich could have a greater pulling power though.
MARK MCGUINNESS
The 6ft 4in defender spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Ipswich from Arsenal, often partnering Luke Woolfenden at the back.
He made a permanent switch to Cardiff that summer, playing regularly for a side that finished 18th in the Championship, before dropping back down to League One to play for Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
McGuinness became a fans’ favourite at Hillsborough, with new Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi then recalling him in January to help with their successful relegation battle.
The 22-year-old now heads into the final year of his contract in South Wales.
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