Championship Sides Looking to Sign Liverpool Midfielder

As the January transfer window nears, Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is set to be recalled from his loan at Ajax, with multiple Championship clubs eager to secure him for the second half of the season.[1]

McConnell, a 21-year-old talent, has struggled for minutes at Ajax, totaling just 219 across all competitions. He made a brief Champions League cameo in early November but has since fallen out of favor under new head coach Fred Grim. Previously, former Liverpool coach John Heitinga deployed him as an impact substitute.[1] A January return to Liverpool aligns with the interests of all parties, as McConnell hasn't completed 90 minutes of senior football since April with Liverpool's Under-21s.[1]

Upon recall, Liverpool must chart the best path forward. According to the Daily Mail, interest abounds in the Championship from West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Oxford United, and Swansea City. Notably, Swansea is now led by Vitor Matos, ex-Jurgen Klopp staffer at Anfield, who has notched three wins in seven games since late November. However, West Brom, Oxford, and Swansea languish in the Championship's lower half, while Derby's position isn't specified.[1]

The key focus is regular playing time to aid McConnell's growth. Summer suitors included Austrian club Sturm Graz, plus Championship sides Ipswich Town, Hull City, Derby, and Oxford, alongside German interest.[1] This loan move could prove pivotal amid the bustling transfer period, which also spotlights deals like Manchester City's pursuit of Antoine Semenyo.[1]

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