Sheffield United's Championship rivals 'weighing up' move for 23-goal striker as Burnley 'keen' on free agent
All the very latest transfer rumours from the Championship ahead of the summer transfer window opening on June 15.
The summer transfer window will open for business on Monday, and Sheffield United’s supporters will be hoping to see the Blades come flying out of the traps.
Following a 13th-placed finish in the Championship in 2025/26, the Blades have aspirations of climbing the table next term and dragging themselves into promotion contention. An expanded play-off system means the top eight will each be in with a shot of promotion to the Premier League.
United manager Chris Wilder plans to add experienced players to his squad, and a crop of names are already known to have made their way onto his wish list. They include the likes of Nathan Patterson, Kalvin Phillips and Lewis Dobbin.
With the start of the transfer window now less than 72 hours away, Championship clubs are busy putting the finishing touches to their pre-window preparations. With that said, here are some of the latest headlines concerning United’s second tier rivals...
Hammers ‘pondering’ Ballard move
West Ham United are ‘weighing up’ a move for Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard, according to a report by the Mail. The Londoners are expected to try and rebuild their squad this summer after suffering the blow of relegation from the Premier League last month.
Ballard, 21, is one of the most coveted players in the EFL heading into this summer’s transfer window after scoring 23 goals in 40 League One appearances for Orient in 2025/26. His performances and contributions inside the final third saw him scoop the League One Player of the Season and League One Young Player of the Season awards in April.
Joining Orient from Blackpool on the final day of last summer’s transfer window, signing an initial three-year deal, the O’s now face what is likely to be an impossible task in their quest to retain his services. As well as being linked with West Ham, Ballard is also said to be the subject of interest from Bristol City, Swansea City and German club Werder Bremen.
According to the report, Bremen are also ‘weighing up’ a move for him this summer. However, a move to West Ham is reportedly ‘particularly appealing’ to Ballard.
Burnley ‘keen’ on free agent striker
According to a report by Foot Mercato, Burnley are ‘keen’ on a move for out-of-contract Toulouse striker Frank Magri. The 26-year-old is expected to leave the French club when his contract expires at the end of this month, meaning he will become a free agent.
The Cameroon international, who can also play out wide, scored five goals in 17 games for the Ligue 1 outfit in 2025/26. He was restricted to just 17 appearances because he suffered a season-ending knee injury in January.
At the time of writing, Burnley, it is reported, are ‘yet to make an offer’ for the attacker, who is attracting interest from elsewhere. MLS side New York Red Bulls have been installed as the ‘favourites’ to secure his signature while German outfit FC Schalke have also been credited with interest.
Magri has scored 16 goals in 89 games for Toulouse since joining them in the summer of 2023.