Transfer news – Pompey’s Belhadj jets off to Qatar
Published:The exodus at Portsmouth has begun in earnest, as their Algerian World Cup left-back Nadir Belhadj has completed a move to Qatari club Al Sadd.
Having struggled desperately with financial problems, Pompey will be boosted by Belhadj’s transfer fee, which is believed to be worth £3.5m. Portsmouth are 16/1 to win the Championship title this season.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have continued their summer spending with the £1.4m acquisition of Charlton midfielder Nicky Bailey.
The 26-year-old, who captained Charlton last season, joins on a three-year contract, and he could soon be joined by Rangers’ Kevin Thomson, who is reportedly a transfer target for the Teessiders.
14/1 title contenders Cardiff City are set to lose their Welsh international midfielder Joe Ledley, who is on the verge of joining Celtic on a free transfer.
Ledley, 23, is set to quadruple his Bluebirds salary by signing a deal with Celtic thought to be around £28,000 a week.
The move would be a blow to Cardiff, as they would miss out on the £3m compensation that they would have received had the out-of-contract midfielder moved to another side in the English football pyramid.
Doncaster are looking to build on an impressive last season which almost culminated in a play-off spot, and they have completed the signing of Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp for £1.15m.
Sharp, who scored 15 goals during a loan spell at the Keepmoat Stadium last season, has agreed a three-year contract with Rovers, who are 50/1 to win the Championship.
Another side who fell short of the play-off places last term, Preston, have bolstered their ranks with the £400,000 addition of Peterborough centre-back Craig Morgan.
The Welsh international has signed a four-year deal at Deepdale, while former Leicester defender Wayne Brown joins the Lilywhites on a free transfer.
Who do you think will top the Championship this season? Leeds are 12/1 title contenders. See the full Championship market.
