Oli McBurnie set for Las Palmas exit as Hull City circle - these 3 Championship clubs should enter transfer battle | OneFootball

With McBurnie looking likely to depart his current club, a return to the Championship would be the most likely destination for his future

Transfer season is in full swing despite the window not being officially open yet in the EFL, and one player who has been linked with a return to English football is Oli McBurnie.

The Scotland international striker decided to depart Sheffield United following their relegation to the Championship last year, and he surprisingly rocked up at La Liga outfit Las Palmas, with McBurnie trading the Steel City for the Canary Islands.

After just one year though, the 28-year-old looks like he will be searching for a new club - Alan Nixon has reported that Las Palmas will allow McBurnie to depart after they were relegated back to Spain's second tier, with Hull City looking to land his services on a free transfer despite having two years remaining on his deal.

A scorer of three goals with six assists added to that in La Liga this season, McBurnie will have no shortage of suitors - let's take a look at THREE of Hull's Championship rivals who should also have the Tartan Army international on their radar as well as the managerless Tigers.

Preston North End

If McBurnie wants to return to familiar surroundings in terms of a manager he has enjoyed success under, then he may want to head to Preston North End, where ex-Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom is currently in charge.

When Heckingbottom was appointed as Slavisa Jokanovic's successor at Bramall Lane in November 2021, McBurnie was regularly one of his go-to's at the top end of the pitch, and that included the promotion-winning 2022-23 season, where he scored 13 times to help United back to the Premier League.

There is a vacancy to be filled at the top end of the pitch at Deepdale too given Emil Riis' departure at the end of his contract, with the Dane's 12 goals scored in 2024-25 needing to be replaced - McBurnie could do that and provide the physical presence needed to play alongside Milutin Osmajic, who has the pace to stretch opposition defenders.

Wrexham

Wrexham will be linked with a plethora of Championship-proven players this summer, such is the reputation and finances they have to offer, but McBurnie is one they ought to have on their radar.

Phil Parkinson added veteran attacker Jay Rodriguez to the squad from Burnley in the January window, and paired up with another new face in Reading's Sam Smith, they were able to get the Red Dragons over the line and into the Championship.

You'd have to think though that at the age of 36 when the start of next season comes around, Rodriguez won't be starting week in, week out, and with Steven Fletcher gone, Paul Mullin linked with a move away and Ollie Palmer likely to not cut it at second tier level, suddenly at least one new striker will be needed for Parkinson's 3-5-2 system.

A physical target man will be required to play with Smith, and McBurnie certainly fits the proven profile that Wrexham will be looking for when it comes to improving their squad.

Stoke City

When it comes to signing proven Championship experience over the years, Stoke City have been a big buyer into that market ever since they returned to the level in 2018 - but it hasn't really worked out for them over the years as they've been a consistent bottom half side.

Under Mark Robins though, they will be looking to change that in 2025-26, but they'll need a focal point at the top end of the pitch to make it work.

Nathan Lowe will likely need a League One loan to enhance his development next season after stalling following his return from a prolific stint at Walsall, whilst Sam Gallagher is a player that finds it hard to keep away from the treatment table on a consistent basis.

McBurnie however is in his prime and would certainly be a strong addition if he's available for free or a cheap transfer figure, and if the likes of Million Manhoef and Junho Bae are playing around him, then he's a player that can occupy defenders and let the trickier, creative individuals work their magic.