With under a week remaining in the January transfer window, Wrexham have received a £48 million cash injection that could alter their promotion push. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire suggests the £48 million comes from current owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who purchased the club in 2020 for just £2 million. The money is thought to be for infrastructure costs and player recruitment.

Wrexham have been notably quiet in this winter window, facilitating exits such as former captain James McClean and promotion hero Elliot Lee. It is unclear whether the new funds will be used to sign a player before the deadline, but the investment offers another route for the Red Dragons to compete with the capital flowing through the biggest clubs in the Championship.

After spending around £28 million during the summer to bring in 13 new players, a quieter January was always likely. Manager Phil Parkinson reflected on that overhaul: “This summer was the biggest turnover I’ve ever been involved in as a manager,” and added, “That caused a real air of excitement. This one is slightly different in that we made those changes in the summer.” Parkinson also indicated the immediate priority is returning injured players rather than wholesale additions to the squad.

Wrexham remain in the market for a striker and have been linked with Angers forward Sidiki Cherif. According to The Athletic, Parkinson flew out to watch the 19-year-old play against Paris FC on Sunday. Angers are reportedly seeking around £19 million for Cherif, who has scored four goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season. The No. 9 has been the “subject of talks” with Wrexham as the club weighs whether to pay what would be a Championship record fee for a teenager.

A new striker would address persistent scoring inconsistencies. The Red Dragons have scored more than two goals in just four of their 28 league matches this season. Kieffer Moore began well after his summer arrival, scoring four times in his first three Championship appearances, but has managed six goals in 21 league outings overall, three of which came against Coventry City alone. Without further reinforcement in January, Parkinson’s side face a tougher route to making their Premier League ambitions a reality.

Chelsea have completed the signing of teenage left back Yisa Alao on a two-and-a-half year deal. The move was confirmed by Liam Rosenior’s London outfit in a short statement that offered little beyond the basic terms of the contract and the player’s arrival.

Sheffield Wednesday provided a fuller farewell for a player who progressed through their academy after more than a decade with the club. “Chelsea have presented him with an excellent opportunity, and after careful consideration Yisa has chosen to take the next step in his career,” a club statement read.

The club added: “Yisa’s journey is a proud moment for everyone involved in the SWFC Academy—from coaches and staff to the families who support young players every day. His progress highlights the strength of the pathway at Sheffield Wednesday and its ability to help young players reach the highest levels of the game.

“… We would like to thank Yisa for his commitment and professionalism during his time at Hillsborough, and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”

Alao has made five senior appearances to date. That limited experience did not stop Chelsea moving quickly once the opportunity arose; the transfer came amid severe financial pressure at Sheffield Wednesday. Administration in October essentially forced the merciful conclusion of Dejphon Chansiri’s divisive ownership, opening the club up to a range of bidders.

The Owls are rooted to the foot of the Championship with minus-seven points after have 18 deducted over the course of the campaign. The club has seen a wider exodus of players, with Manchester United youngster Harry Amass recalled and shipped off to Norwich City during a mass exodus which was headline by the tearful farewell of captain Barry Bannan over the weekend.

“As Administrators, our responsibility is to act in the best long-term interests of Sheffield Wednesday and its creditors,” a statement from the club read in regards to Alao’s departure. “This transfer balances immediate value for the club with protection for the future, should Yisa’s career develop as we all hope.”

Manchester United look set to send two academy graduates out on loan in January after a turbulent first half of the 2025/26 season for both players. Toby Collyer and Harry Amass are reported to be moving to Championship clubs for the remainder of the campaign.

Collyer, a 22-year-old midfielder, made 10 appearances under Ruben Amorim last season before joining West Bromwich over the summer. He registered only three league starts for West Brom before a November calf injury required treatment back in Manchester. The Athletic now report that Collyer is expected to join fellow Championship side Hull City for the rest of the season. League statistics for 2025–26 list his West Bromwich Albion figures as: Games 12, Starts 3, Minutes 253, Usage 23%.

Amass, an 18-year-old left back, has been a regular starter for Sheffield Wednesday this season and has been described more harshly by Amorim. The manager said: “I’m always talking about the same thing, Toby [Collyer] and this injury is returning here,” the Portuguese boss moaned back in December. “He played, he’s from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich, he’s not playing.” Amorim also said Amass was “struggling in the Championship” shortly after the player was voted Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Month. Amass posted an image of himself with his individual award on social media in the immediate aftermath. His 2025–26 league numbers for Sheffield Wednesday are recorded as: Games 21, Starts 21, Minutes 253, Usage 99%.

Sheffield Wednesday were consigned to administration at the start of the season and have only won one match all season. The Athletic claims Amass is expected to join Championship relegation battlers Norwich City.

Meanwhile, younger prospects remain under scrutiny. Obi was criticised with the line “Chido is not always a starter with the Under-21s” but appears set to stay in United’s youth setup for the remainder of the campaign. With no senior additions planned this winter, Michael Carrick has left open the possibility of promoting from within the academy which Amorim has often dismissed.