1. Ștefan Baiaram
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Ștefan Baiaram is one of the most established young players in Romanian football, despite still being only 23. The winger has already made more than 200 senior appearances for Universitatea Craiova, having progressed through the club’s academy before making his first-team debut in 2019.
Baiaram is at his best when carrying the ball forward. He glides past opponents, possesses excellent close control and combines his technical ability with a strong work ethic. He can produce moments of genuine quality in the final third and has increasingly added goals to his game.
There are concerns over his defensive contribution, particularly if he is asked to play as a conventional wide midfielder rather than an attacker. There have also been indications that he is ready to leave Craiova, meaning his mentality and commitment could become a talking point should a move fail to materialise.
Anderlecht reportedly offered €4.25 million plus bonuses for Baiaram this summer, but Craiova were looking for approximately €5 million. The Belgian club subsequently appeared to move away from negotiations, potentially leaving the door open for another interested side.
His reported annual salary of approximately €150,000 would be easily manageable for most Championship clubs, although the transfer fee would represent a substantial investment. Baiaram has the potential to become an excellent Championship winger, even if his defensive limitations might prevent him from establishing himself at the highest level.
His story is also remarkable. Baiaram was abandoned as an infant before being adopted and raised by a family in Craiova, where he was introduced to football.