20:52 - Shane MacDermott - SportsBoom

Stoke City Lead Chase for Turkish Starlet Berkay Yılmaz After Standout Bundesliga 2 Season

Stoke City are among a number of Championship clubs monitoring Turkish youngster Berkay Yılmaz, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The talented 21-year-old left-back has been lighting up Bundesliga 2 this season. And his performances on loan at FC Nũmberg during a two-season loan deal have caught the eye of suitors in England. 

The defender boasts the record for most duels won in the division this season with a whopping 354 and his ability to turn over possession, coupled with his attacking flair, has made him a highly sought after acquisition this summer.

Charlton Athletic, who have Southampton’s James Bree as their top target, are understood to have added the player to their wanted list.

Our sources have been told Bristol City scouted the former Turkey youth international earlier this season. 

Rangers were rebuffed in their approach for the player during the winter window as Yilmaz decided to remain in Germany and it remains unclear whether that stance has since changed with a queue growing for his signature. 

Talent To Burn

Yilmaz moved around a lot during his younger days before settling at the SC Freiburg academy in 2020.

He signed professional terms at the club the following year and scored once in 14 games for their reserve side Freiburg II.

In 2024, he moved to FC Nûmberg on loan and has continued to impress at the club this term.

Yilmaz attracted interest from the likes of Juventus earlier in his career and is renowned for his pace, ability to overlap and deadly crosses with his left foot.

As well as his impressive tackles won stat, Yilmaz, clocked at almost 33kmp/h, has an instinct to get forward and has produced five assists as well as having 16 shots at goal.

He was named in the Team of the Tournament during the European U19s tournament last summer.

15:46 - Pete O’Rourke - Twitter

“Preston, Blackburn and Charlton are eyeing moves for Bristol City winger Mark Sykes on a free transfer.

Sykes, 28, is out of contract at Bristol City this summer and looks set to leave Ashton Gate. #pne #Rovers #cafc #BristolCity”

16:25 - @YannTheMann - Charlton Life

“I've heard from a semi reliable source were after Jamie Allen from Cov. Sounds like the deal works for everyone ATM but to be taken with a pinch of salt as any transfer rumour”

07:43 - @DennisBooth - Charlton Life:

“Have heard from a friend that Ahadme will be getting a free transfer despite two years still remaining on his contract. What a waste of money he has been.”

13:49 - Ben Wignall - Football League World:

Exclusive: Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient join Hull City in race to sign 'powerful' winger

A current non-league star is being eyed up by a number of EFL clubs having recently gone on trial with Championship outfit Hull City, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

The end of the regular 2025-26 EFL season is approaching for all 72 clubs this weekend, and whilst there will be still play-off action to go in all three divisions, many teams will start to finalise their squad plans for the following campaign in the aftermath of this Saturday.

Plenty of recruitment will be going on in the Championship, League One and League Two, and for players below the EFL pyramid, they will be wanting to make moves up the divisions if they are good enough, and for one player in particular at East Sussex-based Lewes FC, who are operating in the Isthmian League Premier Division, there could be a chance of becoming a professional player in the coming months.

Lewes star Devonte West eyed up by EFL clubs amid Hull City trial

As reported by Pete O'Rourke last week, Lewes attacker Devonte West - described as 'powerful' by the club website - had caught the eye of Hull City with his performances in the eighth tier of English football, and the Tigers have decided to take a closer look by taking him on trial - presumably with a view to adding him to their under-21's squad.

And whilst Hull have looked to make the first move for West, who joined Lewes last summer from Hollands & Blair and scooped a number of awards at the end of his debut season, including their Golden Boot, the Fans' Player of the Season and Goal of the Season, a number of other clubs are lurking.

FLW can reveal that Hull's Championship rivals Charlton Athletic are one of those that have been eyeing up West, potentially in a bid to keep him closer to his southern roots, but they're also joined by relegation-threatened League One outfit Leyton Orient, who could still drop into League Two on the final day of 2025-26 this coming weekend.

Another team in the mix for 11-goal West are Northampton Town, who will definitely be plying their trade in League Two in 2025-26, and who could also provide more of an immediate first-team platform for the in-demand winger/attacking midfielder.

It appears more than likely that West will make some kind of move away from The Dripping Pan this summer after just one season, given the accolades he has won and the interest that is being showed, but it remains to be seen where he may end up - let alone if Lewes will need to be compensated with a transfer fee for his services.

19:06 - Scott Burns - Daily Record

Charlton in Dundee derby scouting mission as two stars on summer transfer radar

Charlton Athletic ran the rule over Will Ferry and Luke Graham in the Dundee derby.

The Addicks’ head of recruitment Phil Chapple took in United’s impressive 3-0 win over their city rivals. Dundee United’s Will Ferry netted two goals in a man-of-the-match performance.

The English Championship side has had the former Southampton player on their radar all season. Ferry is entering the final year of his contract and interest is heating up.

Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers also have them on their list

Ferry, 25, was the subject of a failed bid from Vancouver Whitecaps last summer.

United have kicked off a player trading model.

They sold Nikolaj Moller for big money to Sandefjord in the winter window.

They also have several of their players attracting interest going into the summer.

Charlton Athletic is also amongst a string of English Championship clubs that have an interest in Dundee’s Graham.

The central defender was the subject of a club record £1.5million bid from Portsmouth in the last window.

Dundee turned that down and since then Rangers, several other English and European clubs have scouted the Scotland under-21 cap.

Graham is also going into the final year of his contract at Dundee.

The Dark Blues have made it clear that the 22-year-old will only be sold if it suits the club and the player.

It remains to be seen if the pair have done enough for Charlton to firm up their interest with bids.

The pair will likely continue to be watched over the final four games of the season.

19:59 - @Siv_in_Norfolk - Charlton Life

“Word on the grapevine up here is that there have been a few offers for Carey and it's possible he'll leave this summer “

11:01 - @stjohnshill - Charlton Life

“Been told Jordan Holsgrove is one we are after”

12:34 - Neil Goulding - SportsBoom

Free Agent Sondre Tronstad Attracts West Brom and Charlton Interest in Summer Scramble

West Brom and Charlton Athletic are heading for a summer transfer scrap over former Blackburn Rovers midfield warrior Sondre Tronstad after the Norwegian officially became a free agent following the expiry of his contract in Lancashire, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal

SportsBoom understands both Championship clubs are closely monitoring the experienced midfield battler after Blackburn released the 30-year-old as part of a ruthless summer clear-out at Ewood Park.

And Tronstad has no plans to walk away from Championship football just yet.

Sources understand the tough-tackling Norwegian remains determined to continue his career in England’s second tier and believes he still has plenty left in the tank despite becoming one of the biggest names to leave Rovers this summer.

Tronstad became a huge fans’ favourite during his three-year spell at Blackburn and earned cult hero status with his all-action displays in the engine room.

INFLUENTIAL

The experienced former Norwegian international was voted Blackburn’s Player of the Year in 2025 after a string of influential performances that made him one of the first names on the teamsheet.

But despite his popularity with supporters, his time at Ewood has now come to an end as Blackburn begin a major rebuild after a season that supporters will be desperate to forget.

Blackburn only narrowly avoided the drop after limping to a disappointing 20th-place finish in a campaign that quickly unravelled.

Tronstad featured 30 times last season, with 29 of those appearances coming in the Championship, underlining just how important he remained to Rovers despite a difficult campaign.

But his season ended heartbreakingly after he underwent ACL reconstruction surgery in March when a partial tear was discovered, ruling him out for the final stretch of the campaign.

The injury has not dented Tronstad’s belief, though.

The midfielder remains hopeful of returning for next season and is already pushing hard in his recovery as he targets a comeback. And there is another reason clubs are circling.

FREE AGENT

Tronstad represents a cut-price opportunity in a market where proven Championship quality often comes with a hefty price tag attached.

Now a free agent after his Blackburn deal expired, the experienced midfielder could prove one of the summer’s smartest bargains for clubs seeking leadership, steel and know-how without spending a penny on a transfer fee.

West Brom are understood to be eager to inject experience into their ranks as they gear up for another promotion charge, while Charlton are also keeping tabs on the situation as they hunt reinforcements in midfield.

The pair could now be heading for a full-blown tussle to try and secure one of the Championship’s most attractive free agents.

21:35 - @Clem_Snide - Charlton Life:

“Genuine left field rumour time. Visiting my mum in hospital today and picked up a drink from Costa on my way out. 

Two blokes in West Ham training kit were chatting in the queue in front of me and mentioned that we (Charlton) were in for one of their former players Emmanuel Longelo. 

Left back currently at Motherwell. Looks to have a year left on his contract.

No idea whether it was idle gossip or whether they were ITK, but thought it was worth passing on.”

11:09 - Ben Jacobs - Twitter

“Lyndon Dykes is assessing his options having received an offer from Charlton to stay at the club.

Understand Millwall and Leicester have also made approaches to sign him as a free agent.

Dykes is off to the World Cup with Scotland.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿”

10:42 - Wyn Grant - Addick’s Championship Diary:

“Unconfirmed reports from various sources have stated that Luton Town have offered £750k for Daniel Kanu.

We would be mad as Hatters not to accept, although perhaps we should ask for a little more or at least a share of any later transfer fee.

Kanu had a great season with Walsall, but saddling up for the Championship would be a challenge.”

12:07 - @jams - Charlton Life:

“Reports in Oxford that they are interested in Alex Mitchell”

Thursday 4th June