Latest Championship transfer news: Middlesbrough close in on Villa man, Burnley and Sunderland eyeing Forest player, Bristol City duo wanted | OneFootball

With the January transfer window open, clubs across the division will be keen to do business this month.

Whether competing for automatic promotion, challenging for the play-offs or fighting against relegation, managers will want to strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season.

In such a congested and still wide open division, it could be a crucial window for many which may define their prospects over the coming months.

We take a look at some of the latest transfer news from the second tier.

Middlesbrough leading Archer race

Middlesbrough are reportedly in pole position to sign in-demand Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer on loan.

According to TEAMtalk, Boro are in advanced talks with Villa as they look to land their top target.

Archer had a successful loan spell with Preston North End last season, where he scored seven goals in 20 appearances and he was rewarded with a new five-year contract at Villa Park in August.

But his opportunities have been limited, making just six Premier League substitute appearances and with Villa likely to be in the market for a striker following the ambitious appointment of Unai Emery, his chances will continue to be restricted.

Archer has no shortage of Championship suitors, with Ryan Lowe confirming last month that North End were interested in bringing him back to Deepdale, but Boro are at the front of the queue to secure his signature.

Boro currently sit fifth in the table after a remarkable revival under Michael Carrick which has seen them win seven of his 10 games in charge and Archer could prove to be a huge asset for their promotion push.

Burnley and Sunderland are reportedly both interested in Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge.

The 24-year-old scored seven goals in 20 appearances for Forest on the way to promotion last season but has struggled in the top flight this time around, with nine of his 10 league appearances coming from the bench.

According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Surridge will be allowed to leave the City Ground this month, with both the Clarets and the Black Cats keeping tabs on the front man.

While Burnley’s need for attacking reinforcements is less evident with Vincent Kompany’s side sitting clear at the top of the table, a new number nine is a priority for eighth-placed Sunderland following Ellis Simms’ recall and the potential departure of Ross Stewart.

Bournemouth in talks over Bristol City duo

Bournemouth have reportedly opened talks with Bristol City over a potential move for both Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo.

According to TEAMtalk, new Bournemouth owner Bill Foley will make funds available to manager Gary O’Neil for the club’s survival fight, with the Cherries preparing a £20 million offer for the pair.

They are two of the Robins’ prized assets after establishing themselves in the first-team, with both no stranger to attracting Premier League interest.

But the Cherries’ offer looks set to fall way short of City’s valuation, with Bristol Live recently reporting that the club would like around the £20 million mark for Scott, while Alan Nixon says that they have slapped a £12 million price tag on Semenyo.

With the Robins currently sitting 19th in the table and just three points above the relegation zone, it will be a crucial few weeks in BS3 and it remains to be seen whether they would sanction the departures of two of their key men while they are in a such a precarious position.