Championship news: Newcastle and Rangers to poach from Bristol City rivals this summer as takeover confirmed

It's the calm before the storm in the Championship this week as the international break gives clubs the chance to prepare for a final frenzy of second-tier action.

Just eight matches remain for most clubs in the league with a lot still to be sorted before promotion, play-off places and relegation is confirmed. Bristol City look set to cruise home with a mid-table finish but fans will hope for a push into the top half to end the campaign.

Away from Bristol, here are the latest transfer rumours coming out of the Championship.

Newcastle United still monitoring long-term Watford target

Newcastle United haven't given up the chase for Watford forward Joao Pedro and could move to sign the star this summer. The Magpies have been linked with Pedro ever since Eddie Howe took over at the club in 2021 with the Brazilian scoring a gutting equaliser at St James' Park last January.

Fortunes have changed since then with Newcastle flying high in the Premier League and Watford seemingly condemned for a second season in the Championship.

The Athletic reports that Newcastle are tracking Pedro's progress and could enter into talks once again after a rumoured £30 million move fell through last summer.

The Watford man has also attracted interest from AC Milan but Newcastle would be able to win a battle of transfer fees to secure the star, who is currently contracted at the London club until 2028.

Rangers to swoop for Coventry City star

Scottish giants Rangers could scupper any Coventry City hopes to keep on-loan defender Jonathan Panzo for another season.

The centre-back is on loan at the Championship outfit from Premier League side Nottingham Forest and was a key asset to Mark Robins for much of the season before a bruised knee sidelined him in February and March.

Panzo has been back on the bench for Coventry in the last two fixtures with Man City loanee Callum Doyle keeping his role.

Losing both those stars at the end of their deals would be a blow to Robins and keeping Panzo on a permanent basis would likely tempt Coventry if a deal could be struck up with Nottingham Forest, who highly rate the 22-year-old.

However, Coventry will have to fend off competition from Rangers with The Daily Record reporting that the Scottish side has sent agents to watch the star.

Rangers boss Michael Beale has history with Panzo, having coached the youngster at the Chelsea academy, and could use the prospect of European football to lure him to Ibrox.

Major Huddersfield ownership breakthrough as club fights relegation

Relegation candidates Huddersfield have been taken over by a North American group after chairman Dean Hoyle acquired 100% of the club's shares and then sold them.

Hoyle returned to fund the club in 2021 after Phil Hodgkinson stepped down due to financial difficulties. However, he stepped down as chief executive for health reasons in 2022.

In a statement, Huddersfield said that the unnamed group's takeover was subject to "legislative and governance procedures" with more information to come after completion.

The Daily Mail has reported that Hoyle let £40 million go as part of the deal to keep the Terriers out of administration that would result in a 21-point deduction and almost guaranteed relegation.