Exclusive: Ipswich Town fired Josh Brownhill warning - Leicester City might face same issue | OneFootball

Don Goodman has spoken to FLW about the future of midfielder Josh Brownhill.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes it would take an “awful lot” for Championship sides to convince Josh Brownhill to return to the second-tier this summer.

The former Bristol City man departed Burnley upon the end of his contract and remains a free agent as the 2025-26 season kicks off.

Brownhill had a phenomenal 2024-25 term that massively contributed to Burnley’s immediate promotion back to the Premier League, with the 29-year-old notching 18 goals and six assists from 42 appearances.

But Brownhill opted not to remain at Turf Moor, leaving questions as to who his next club will be before the transfer window shuts on the 1st September.

The midfielder has been linked with a return to the second-tier, with Ipswich Town credited with an interest in the playmaker, while Leicester City have reportedly tabled a lengthy contract offer to the 29-year-old.

With speculation lingering over Brownhill’s future, Don Goodman has spoken to FLW about whether he can see him making a move back down to the second-tier.

Don Goodman casts doubt over Josh Brownhill, Championship return

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Josh Brownhill would need a lot of convincing to return to a Championship club, and is struggling to see a lot of second-tier clubs affording him after a stellar last season with Burnley.

Goodman said: “I'd say there are lots of top-end Championship clubs that would be really interested in Josh Brownhill. As you mentioned, Ipswich are the ones that have been mentioned publicly, but whether Josh Brownhill would be interested in playing Championship football again after such an incredible season last season, then somebody would have to really sell it to him, I would think.

“I think he hasn't signed his contract because he was hoping that maybe he'd be playing in the Premier League again, even if it wasn't with Burnley, or possibly one of the other big leagues in Europe, so I think it would cost an awful lot for a Championship club to be able to afford Josh Brownhill, and maybe there aren't too many that would stretch that far.”

Josh Brownhill should be aiming higher than the Championship

Josh Brownhill has proven over a number of seasons at both Burnley and Bristol City that he is a quality option at Championship level, but his phenomenal last season with the Clarets is a sign that he is ready to make a name for himself in one of the top divisions in Europe.

Whether Brownhill didn’t believe he could have a sustained long-term Premier League future at Burnley as a reason for his departure is unknown, but there are still a few attractive top-flight options that would be better than a Championship return.

In terms of the Premier League, Brownhill is thought to be an admirer of Daniel Farke's setup at Elland Road, with Leeds United in the market for a No.10 this summer, although it is not clear yet whether he is a target for the Whites.

Meanwhile, West Ham are reportedly considering parting ways with the likes of Tomas Soucek, Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez due to possible PSR breaches, and may want to utilise the free agent market to bolster their options in that department before the deadline.