Championship clubs are again busy in the transfer market, with young talent, big valuations and sell-on clauses all featuring in the latest round of stories.
Championship Trio Track Non-League Goalkeeper
Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Preston North End are all reported to be eyeing moves for Doncaster City goalkeeper Ashton Powney.
The 17-year-old has impressed in the Northern Counties East Division One, the tenth tier of the English football pyramid, and his progress has already brought recognition at England Schoolboys Under-18 level. That route is open to youngsters still in full-time education who are not tied down to a scholarship with a professional club.
Powney would not be expected to go straight into a first-team environment if any of the interested clubs firmed up their interest. Instead, the expectation is that he would join an academy setup, with the Championship trio seemingly viewing him as a player with long-term potential rather than an immediate senior option.
It is another reminder that professional clubs are continuing to monitor the non-league game closely, particularly when a player is young enough to be developed within an academy structure. For Boro, Bristol City and Preston, the attraction is clear: a low-cost prospect who has already shown enough to stand out beyond his current level.
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