Championship news: Bristol City’s second-tier rivals want Man Utd defender as midfielder commits to Sunderland

Bristol City and their Championship rivals are currently taking a break from league action as the attention turns towards the international action.

But that has not stopped the action away from the pitch as transfer speculation and contract news ramp up as an intriguing summer lies in wait. BristolWorld takes a look at the latest news from around the second tier.

Blades star speaks out over summer transfer speculation

Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge has refused to discuss a potential summer transfer away from Bramall Lane.

The Norway star has been the subject of interest from Newcastle United, West Ham United and Fulham, with the Premier League trio said to have made approaches for the Blades midfielder during the final days of the January transfer window.

Although it is not known whether that interest will be reignited during the summer, it does seem likely Berge will depart if his side miss out on a return to the top tier at the end of the season. When asked about his future, he told Norwegian station, TV2: “It is difficult to say in football. You shouldn’t predict too far ahead, because things change quickly. I’ll have to take that when the time comes.”

Canaries striker ‘undecided’ on future

Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki is said to be ‘fully concentrated’ on the Canaries push for the Championship play-offs and is not willing to make any decision over his future at Carrow Road until the summer.

The Pink Un have reported the Finland international has received an offer to extend his five-year stay with the club but is only focusing on his side’s attempts to secure a return to the Premier League at this point in time.

Black Cats boosted by midfielder deal

Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil has put pen-to-paper on a new deal committing him to the Black Cats until the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 21-year-old has made 95 appearances for the Stadium of Light club and has expressed his desire to help his side push for a return to the Premier League in the near future. He told the club website: “All my family are Sunderland fans, so I have immense pride playing for the club. I always said I wanted to try and help this club get back to where it belongs and signing this contract will give me an opportunity to help do that.”

Potters want permanent deal for Man Utd star

Stoke City will enter the closing stages of the season looking to secure a top-ten finish and put the foundations in place for a much-improved campaign next time around.

Their plans for next season are already underway and the Manchester Evening News have claimed Alex Neil has been impressed with the form of on-loan Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe and is keen to sign the former England Under-21 international on a permanent deal.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and his time at Old Trafford will come to a close this summer.