5 EFL Championship players who should be on every MLS club's radar | OneFootball

The English Championship is a proven goldmine for young talents. Just this week, Sunderland starlet Jobe Bellingham has completed a $42 million move to German giants Borussia Dortmund.

Following in the footsteps of his brother Jude, who has since won the Champions League with Real Madrid, the junior Bellingham is the latest Championship star expected to make a name for himself on the global stage.

The abundance of young talent both in the Championship and in MLS has seen an increasing number of high-profile transfers between the two leagues in recent times. Young Americans Daryl Dike and Aidan Morris have moved to England, while Emmanuel Latte Lath has gone the other way.

Here are five Championship players who could continue this trend to instantly improve the rosters of all MLS clubs:

Ben Brereton Díaz

Southampton striker Ben Brereton Díaz has seen his club career stall somewhat since leaving Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2023.

Failing to score in either his 20 games at La Liga side Villarreal or in his debut season with the Saints in the Premier League, he has been shipped out on two separate loan moves to Sheffield United.

Famously being eligible to represent South American outfit Chile through his mother's passport, his international career has also been frustrated of late. The English-born attacker hasn't been called up by Chile boss Ricardo Gareca since being hauled off after 35 minutes in September's World Cup qualifier defeat to Bolivia.

This was after Brereton Díaz had previously fallen out with Gareca for not speaking Spanish.

With the Blades failing to secure an immediate return to the English top-flight, Brereton Díaz has returned to parent club Southampton. Rather than spending another uncertain season in the Championship, an MLS move could reignite his club career.

He is well-proven at Championship level, and would add considerable firepower to any MLS club.

What's more, being surrounded by such large Spanish-speaking communities in most potential MLS destinations would help refine his language skills. He would also enjoy shorter, less taxing flights to Chile for international duty.

Josh Sargent

Norwich City FC v West Bromwich Albion FC - Sky Bet Championship | Stephen Pond/GettyImages

Like Brereton Díaz, Norwich City striker Josh Sargent has seen his international career stall in recent times.

This is not for a lack of form at club level. He has netted 31 goals in his last two Championship campaigns, both of which have been ravaged by recurring injury issues. This season, his all-round performances saw him included in the league's Team of the Season.

Despite this, Sargent was omitted from Mauricio Pochettino's latest USMNT squad. The Missouri native hasn't scored for the national team since 2019.

With Premier League side Leeds United and Italian giants Roma both expressing an interest in Sargent's signature, an MLS move is unlikely. FC Cincinnati reportedly saw a bid declined last summer, with Norwich holding out for a greater fee for their prized asset than Pat Noonan's side could afford.

However, with a home FIFA World Cup just a year away, Sargent could be convinced that a return home is his best move to prove his credentials. A winter off-season later this year as an MLS player would also see Sargent well-rested for next summer's tournament.

As the most accomplished striker in the Championship, Sargent would be a major coup for any MLS side.

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Angus Gunn

Sargent's Norwich teammate Angus Gunn is out of contract this summer, meaning he would be available on a free transfer for MLS sides.

In seasons gone by, Gunn established himself as one of the Championship's best goalkeepers. This campaign, though, a dip in form saw his club reluctant to extend his contract at the high wages he demands.

Scotland's first-choice 'keeper is likely to have no shortage of suitors this summer, meaning MLS clubs would do well to tempt him stateside. However, Gunn could be convinced by the number of his compatriots who have recently forged successful MLS careers, such as Johnny Russell, Lewis Morgan, and Ryan Gauld.

What's more, MLS clubs shouldn't struggle to offer him the wages he feels his reputation deserves, so long as they have a Designated Player spot free.

At 29 years of age, Gunn is in the prime of his career. He would immediately become one of the best 'keepers in MLS, and should be able to continue performing at a high level for many years to come.

Josh Windass

Norwich City FC v Sheffield Wednesday FC - Sky Bet Championship | Stephen Pond/GettyImages

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Josh Windass has been one of the more consistent performers in the Championship in recent seasons, and also impressed during a three-year spell at Scottish giants Rangers in the late 2010s.

It is no surprise, then, that the 31-year-old is attracting interest from abroad. La Liga outfit Valencia is rumored to be chasing his signature this summer, while Windass only saw a shock $14 million move to Brazilian giants Santos fall through in January because a certain Neymar Júnior became available for transfer instead.

The Owls are currently battling considerable uncertainty behind the scenes. The club is expected to be handed a three-window transfer embargo, and potentially a points deduction, after owner Dejphon Chansiri failed to pay his staff's wages for a second time this calendar year.

As a result, it seems inevitable the club's star players will depart on the cheap this summer. With 57 goal contributions across 173 Championship outings from midfield, Windass is a proven attacking outlet in the division. He is keen for a new challenge abroad, and MLS clubs should take advantage of his availability.

Japhet Tanganga

Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga emerged as one of the league's best-in-class last campaign, as his side made an unlikely push for the end-of-season promotion play-offs.

Unsurprisingly, he is said to be attracting interest from several Premier League clubs. A clause in his Millwall contract means top-flight clubs can secure his signature for a cut-price of $1.6 million.

With this clause in mind, anything but a Premier League move looks unlikely. Yet, MLS is no longer a league that only attracts aging global stars looking for one final payday.

Latte Lath, Riqui Puig, and Aleksey Miranchuk are just a few of those in or before their prime who have traded Europe's top leagues for MLS recently, and they won't be the last.

Add to that the appeal of playing against (or even with) some of the greatest players of all time at Inter Miami, MLS is certainly an attractive destination for emerging European-based stars today. Tanganga would instantly shore up any MLS defense, but interested parties will have to move fast.