Sunderland target 'in talks' over new contract as manager of Leeds United's Championship rivals on Premier League radar

Leeds United have another season of Championship football to plan for this summer after last month’s heart-breaking 1-0 play-off final defeat against Southampton at Wembley. Those in charge at Elland Road know some tough decisions will need to be made once the transfer window opens next week but chairman Paraag Marathe has also paved the way for incomings.

This summer looks set to be a busy one in West Yorkshire but Leeds are not the only ones planning for a promotion push. Clubs across the division are putting early plans in place for investment and the YEP has rounded up some of the key stories surrounding some of the other 23 second-tier teams.

Sunderland target ‘talks’

West Ham United are ‘in talks’ to tie Sunderland and West Brom target Divin Mubama down to a new contract. The Hammers hope to keep Mubama at the London Stadium beyond the expiry of his current deal next month but have seen proposals rejected earlier this year.

The 19-year-old has grown frustrated at a lack of regular football this season, with just one of his 12 appearances in all competitions coming from the start. Sunderland have been heavily linked with a move this summer, while fellow promotion hopefuls West Brom are also thought to be keen.

West Ham are thought to still be hopeful of keeping Mubama and reported Leeds target Ben Johnson, but time is running out to agree on a deal with several clubs from across the Premier League and Championship waiting on both.

Corberan interest

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan is reportedly on a three-man shortlist to replace Enzo Maresca at Leicester. The Daily Mail reports that Corberan is ‘of interest’ to those in charge at the King Power Stadium as preparations intensify for their return to the Premier League.

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Maresca guided Leicester to the Championship title this season but has been swiftly snapped up by Chelsea, who parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino in recent weeks. The Foxes were left on the back foot by the news and are now working hard behind the scenes to find a replacement who can keep them up.

Alongside Corberan, who cut his coaching teeth at Leeds and was assistant to Marcelo Bielsa during the 2019/20 promotion campaign, is former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently left Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven.

QPR arrival

Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of Aston Villa academy prospect Jack McDowell after his release from the Premier League outfit. McDowell never made a first-team appearance for Villa but was a regular for the under-18s and joins QPR’s academy set up.

Speaking to the QPR website, McDowell said: "I'm excited. The opportunity came to trial with QPR for a week and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the players, the facilities, the coaches and all the staff. Then I was lucky enough to be offered a deal and it was an opportunity I had to take.

"I'm a ball-playing centre-half. I love to get on the ball and break the lines. I love defending as well and I always want to keep a clean sheet. I'm a really hard-working player who will always give everything."