Watford dealt transfer blow as West Brom and Norwich in £1.7m chase

It's now less than a week until Championship sides learn who they will be facing on the opening weekend of the season with fixtures set for release on Wednesday, June 26.

The next campaign is drawing ever closer and some Championship clubs are already looking proactive in the transfer window.

Watford, Norwich and West Brom feature in your Thursday Championship round-up.

Watford dealt transfer blow

Watford have reportedly failed to meet the financial demands of Colombian side La Equidad with a deal for central midfielder Elen Ricardo now unlikely to happen.

The Hornets had been linked with interest in the 20-year-old for months but now Sport Witness reports that a deal is off the cards after a disagreement over the player's valuation.

Ricardo made 17 appearances in the Colombian top flight last year, scoring six goals, attracting attention from the MLS and Belgium as well as the Championship. It now appears that Tom Cleverley and Watford will have to look elsewhere to add midfield reinforcements as the upcoming Championship campaign draws ever nearer.

Millwall to announce Charlton Athletic deal next week

Millwall are set to announce the departure of defender Alex Mitchell to League One club Charlton Athletic next week.

According to the South London Press, the two clubs agreed a deal for the 22-year-old last week but official confirmation has been put on hold following the tragic passing of Lions goalkeeper Matija Sarkic at the age of 26.

Mitchell is a product of the Millwall youth academy but has made just one first team appearance - a 10-minute Carabao Cup cameo against Cambridge United in 2021. The player spent last season on loan at Lincoln City and will now join Nathan Jones' project at The Valley.

Norwich City and West Brom chasing Ligue 1 free agent

Norwich City and West Brom are believed to be challenging one another, and a host of Ligue 1 clubs in France, for the signing of Toulouse defender Moussa Diarra.

Foot Mercato name the two second tier sides as interested parties with the 23-year-old's deal at his current club coming to an end this summer. Marseille, OGC Nice and Stade Rennais are also linked with the free agent, who is valued at £1.7 million according to Transfermarkt.

The French outlet reports that the centre-back, who made 31 appearances in all competitions last season, is keen to seal a new deal before the end of the month to allow for as long a pre-season with a new club as possible.