There are four EFL League One sides in the running for the signature of an exceptional star who is set to move on loan again this summer following an impressive spell in the third tier last season.
Barnsley, Luton Town, Reading and Wycombe Wanderers will all be expected to be in the running for promotion in 2025/26. However, the first battle may be set to commence in the transfer window as all four clubs are reportedly in the chase for a Brighton & Hove Albion prospect.
EFL League One Promotion Candidates Season Set to Commence
The third tier will kick off on Friday, the 1st of August, as Luton Town host newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon. The Hatters have been active in the transfer window and appear to have further business to conduct as they seek an instant return to the Championship.
Matt Bloomfield’s side have recruited well and should be in the mix for promotion. They have opted for a mix of youth and experience in the transfer window and are well balanced for a push at the top of the third tier.
Barnsley start the campaign with a tough-looking trip to Plymouth Argyle, who are under the stewardship of Tom Cleverley. The Tykes have appointed former Republic of Ireland international Conor Hourihane to his first managerial role and have had a relatively quiet transfer window.
David McGoldrick is the standout signing, but they do not appear to be one of the major candidates for promotion from the outset.
Wycombe Wanderers were in the running for automatic promotion for much of the 2024/25 campaign, but there have been changes with Mike Dodds facing an uphill task to repeat last season’s exploits.
Reading have shown ambition in the transfer window with deals for the likes of Paudie O’Connor and Matty Jacob. Noel Hunt has an impressive core of players for this level that should make up his starting eleven, and they are a potential dark horse for the title next season.
Former Crawley Town Loanee The Subject of Interest From Third-Tier Clubs
Kamari Doyle spent the first half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Exeter City but excelled after joining Crawley Town in the mid-season transfer window. The 19-year-old played in an advanced role behind the frontline and scored seven goals while providing four assists in 21 appearances.
His displays almost brought the club clear of the relegation zone. However, they finished one point behind Burton Albion and will now play in the fourth tier next season.
Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsey was impressed by the player after returning to the club in March. After just a couple of games in charge and following a big win over Rotherham United, the boss praised his star man’s displays. According to The Argus, he said back in March:
“I thought he looked tired towards the end, like he had run out of steam.
“But his performance, his goals, just brilliant. A really talented footballer.
“He had run himself into the ground.
“In the two games I have been here, I have been super-impressed with him.”
It is no surprise that the talented player is attracting interest from some of the top sides in EFL League One, as per the exclusive Football League World Report, and wherever he ends up ahead of the new season, Doyle should play a leading role in any push for promotion.