All the latest Championship news, including Middlesbrough’s interest in signing an in-demand Villa youth. Kain Kesler – Hayden
Middlesbrough could compete with Coventry City and Southampton for highly regarded Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden. The 22-year-old is poised to leave Villa Park in the coming weeks, with many Championship clubs interested in the full-back.
Boro are reported to be looking for a new right-back, and Kesler-Hayden would certainly suit the bill after impressing on loan at Championship club Preston North End last season. He made 51 appearances for the North West club last season and has been capped by England at the Under-20 level.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard is thought to be interested in bringing him to the Midlands, although EFL Analysis reports that Boro and newly relegated Southampton may join the race for his signature. Villa want roughly £5 million for Kesler-Hayden and are unlikely to block a transfer, with Unai Emery’s side aiming to maximise player sales to avoid PSR difficulties.
A right-back will be one of several transfer priority for the next Middlesbrough boss, as Anfernee Dijksteel’s contract expires at the end of June. While Kesler-Hayden is still young, he has a wealth of experience, having previously played for Swindon, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, and Plymouth Argyle.
Wilder ‘on the verge’
Chris Wilder, the former manager of Middlesbrough, is ready to depart Sheffield United, reports say. The Blades missed out on promotion to the Premier League in the play-off final, falling 2-1 to Sunderland despite taking an early lead.
Sheffield United finished third in the Championship table, trailing Leeds United and Burnley, but the Independent reports that the Bramall Lane club may be poised to break ways with their head coach.
Wilder lasted 11 months on Teesside, replacing Neil Warnock, but was fired in October 2022 when the club was in the Championship’s bottom three.
Bristol City are preparing to recruit a new manager after losing Liam Manning to Norwich City. The Robins have a shortlist, with Gerhard Struber presently leading the odds.
The 48-year-old Austrian previously worked at Barnsley in the Championship, but our sister publication Bristol Live reports that, while the South West club is understood to be in the closing stages of the process, no decision has been made.
Former Boro manager Michael Carrick has been connected with the position at Ashton Gate, in what would be an unusually rapid return to management. Norwich reportedly paid around £800,000 for Manning’s services after activating his release clause.
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