Coventry want £200m for Striker? - Football Park's Daily Transfer Round Up 26/12/25
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Coventry want £200m for Striker? - Football Park's Daily Transfer Round Up 26/12/25

Football Park's Boxing Day Transfer Round Up

Transfer season is nearly upon us once again, with the 2026 January window just days from opening.

Clubs across the Premier League and EFL will be looking throughout the month in order to potentially strengthen their squads at the halfway stage of the campaign. And with news and rumours already spreading around, here is a round-up of some rumours across the top divisions of English football this Boxing Day.

£200m for Coventry Star?:

Frank Lampard’s Coventry City are flying high in the EFL Championship. Top of the league with eight home wins in a row following a 1-0 victory over Swansea City on Boxing Day, having scored 54 goals, by far the most in the division.

One of the players who has contributed towards that goal tally is American striker Haji Wright. The USMNT forward has netted eight times in the league so far this season in 16 appearances. Wright, 27, has been at Coventry since 2023 where he has scored 36 goals in 90 games for the midlands club.

The strikers one-in-two goal ratio return so far in the Championship has not gone unnoticed, with top division clubs both in the Premier League and abroad taking an interest in Wright, with West Ham reportedly keen according to the Telegraph.

The Hammers are in need of a centre forward following Niclas Fullkrug’s move to AC Milan and have seemingly identify Wright as a potential target to bring the goals to keep the East London club in the top flight.

However, Frank Lampard is adamant the American will not be leaving the Coventry Building Society Arena this winter as the side look to earn promotion to the Premier League, stating that Wright will not be sold, quoting a price of £200 million in order to put suiters off. With the Coventry manager stating to the Coventry Telegraph earlier in the month “I’m very keen to keep hold of them both (Simms and Wright), they are both two very big players for us.”

Newcastle Star to LEAVE for Saudi?:

Since being bought out by the PIF, Newcastle’s world has changed significantly.

Eddie Howe and the new owners have brought Champions League football, an EFL Cup win, and a wave of positivity back to the Toon Army following an era where it seemed all was lost.

One of the names on the pitch at the centre of the recent success is Brazilian forward turned midfielder Joelinton. The now 29 year-old has become a fan favourite and hero on Tyneside since being dropped into the middle of the park by Howe, making over 200 appearances for the Magpies since his £40 million move in 2019.

However, this season has seen a reduction in starts for Joelinton, both due to injures and poor form, and reports are starting to emerge that an exit from the Northeast could be imminent this winter.

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According to TeamTalk, clubs in the Saudi Pro League hold an interest in the Brazilian. Following on from speculation of interest in the summer, with clubs potentially open to resuming talks after those initial enquires.

The 29 year-old is contracted until 2028 on Tyneside. And whilst its unclear how strong the interest is and whether Saudi clubs would be willing to make an offer, sources claim Newcastle would be open to a permanent sale of Joelinton if a suitable offer arrived.

Southampton Striker Wanted by Bundesliga Clubs:

Southampton fans would have good reason for excitement for 21-year-old forward Damion Downs move to the South Coast following a strong season in the 2. Bundesliga.

The American scored 12 goals and claimed six assists as he spearheaded FC. Koln’s promotion back to the big time in Germany.

Despite having the opportunity to test himself in the Bundesliga, a move to Southampton and a reported £12,500 a week contract was too good to turn down despite the Saints relegation to the Championship. Southampton paid £6.5 million for Down’s services, however it has not worked out so far for the forward.

Downs is yet to find the net for the Saints, and in fact has just one start throughout the Championship season so far.

Due to his struggles and with the 2026 World Cup on home soil looming, Downs is seemingly keen for more opportunities. And according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, clubs in the Bundesliga clubs are alert, with former club Koln offering a potential return.

Downs has been capped six times for the USMNT, and will want to be a part of the World Cup squad when the tournament hits the States next summer.

Palace rival Hammers for Premier League Striker:

Coventry’s Haji Wright is not the only striker Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham is reportedly interested in this winter, with Wolves’ number nine Jorgan Strand Larsen also on the list of targets, however they are seemingly not the only club in for the Norwegian.

According to the Telegraph, The Eagles are likely to rival the Hammers in the race for the 25 year-old, who is certain to leave Molineux as Wolves relegation to the EFL Championship looms with the club sitting bottom of the league and yet to claim a win.

Palace’s strikers haven’t been firing this season. Jean-Phillipe Mateta may have seven league goals, however recent weeks have seen the Frenchman criticised for some performances including missed chances.

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Meanwhile summer signing Christantus Uche is yet to find the net in the Premier League in seven matches, and as a result, Oliver Glasner is keen to add to his striking options.

Strand Larsen was the subject of a rejected £50 million summer bid from Newcastle, but with the striker likely keen to want out Rob Edwards and Wolves may be forced to sell for a cheaper fee as the striker looks to escape the Wolves misery.

Wolves Replacement for Strand Larsen Lined Up?:

With Strand Larsen’s exit from Molineux seemingly imminent, Wolves will need to enter the market even more than they currently do.

A striker seemingly on the market according to TalkSport, former Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge is on the radar of Rob Edwards.

Since leaving English football for the MLS and Nashville, Surridge has been in fine form. Scoring 25 goals in the league campaign last season, with only Lionel Messi scoring more out of the division’s finest scorers.

Wolves are seemingly considering a move for the 27 year-old, as they look to avoid breaking the record set by Derby County in 2008 as the worst side to grace the Premier League since the league’s official formation in 1992 replacing the First Division.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Oliver Seymour

Freelance Content Writer

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