JibrinThe Highest-Paid Player at Every EFL Championship Club in 2026
Football finance has taken centre stage in recent years, with clubs across England experiencing both financial growth and financial turmoil.
The Championship, in particular, has drawn heavy attention. With historic clubs chasing Premier League returns and ambitious sides spending big to compete, the second tier has become one of the most financially volatile divisions in the country.
It’s also a proven platform — a stage where talent shines before earning a Premier League move or guiding their current club to promotion. And with the January transfer window now closed, the financial picture has shifted again — both in terms of transfer fees and weekly wages.
Using estimated figures from Capology, here’s a look at the highest-paid player at each of the 24 Championship clubs.
Birmingham City – Carlos Vicente
Birmingham’s top earner is £7m January signing Carlos Vicente. The 26-year-old arrived from Deportivo Alaves during a busy winter window and will be expected to push Blues toward the play-off spots in the second half of the campaign.
Blackburn Rovers – Todd Cantwell
Despite Blackburn’s financial uncertainty, Todd Cantwell reportedly earns £30,000 per week at Ewood Park. The creative midfielder has been a rare bright spark during a challenging season.
Bristol City – Delano Burgzorg / Luke McNally / Neto Borges
Three players sit joint-top on £20,000 per week. Middlesbrough loanees Neto Borges and Delano Burgzorg share that figure alongside Luke McNally, who continues his recovery from a serious ACL injury sustained last year.
Charlton Athletic – Conor Coady
Conor Coady is Nathan Jones’ highest earner at £25,000 per week during his loan spell. The experienced defender will hope to guide the Addicks to safety. Goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski is the club’s highest-paid permanent player.
Coventry City – Luke Woolfenden / Matt Grimes / Haji Wright / Ellis Simms
Four players earn £25,000 per week at Coventry. Record signing Haji Wright, along with Woolfenden, Grimes and Simms, share top spot on the wage bill.
Derby County – Sammie Szmodics / Ben Brereton Diaz / Carlton Morris
Derby also have three players on £25,000 weekly. Szmodics and Brereton Diaz are loanees, while summer arrival Carlton Morris leads the permanent earners.
Hull City – John Lundstram
Trabzonspor loanee John Lundstram earns £45,500 per week, making him Hull’s top earner despite the club operating under restrictions.
Ipswich Town – Dara O’Shea / Leif Davis / Jens Cajuste
Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League hasn’t reduced their spending power. O’Shea, Davis and Napoli loanee Cajuste all collect £35,000 per week.
Leicester City – Harry Winks
Here’s where the numbers truly stand out.
Harry Winks is the Championship’s highest-paid player on £90,000 per week.
The former England international has been earning such a staggering sum whilst barely featuring for the Foxes this season, whilst the club were hit with a six-point deduction at the start of February due to financial breaches.
Those figures are hard to ignore — particularly during a season where every point matters in a tense relegation battle.
Middlesbrough – Matt Targett
Matt Targett is the division’s highest-paid loanee, earning £60,000 per week during his temporary spell from Newcastle United. With Boro boasting one of the league’s strongest defensive records, the investment appears justified.
Millwall – Joe Bryan
Joe Bryan earns £32,500 weekly at Millwall, despite limited starts this season as the Lions push for play-off consistency.
Norwich City – Shane Duffy
Shane Duffy remains Norwich’s top earner on £35,000 per week, though his involvement has decreased under Philippe Clement. With his contract expiring in June, that status may soon change.
Oxford United – Ben Davies
Rangers loanee Ben Davies earns £20,000 per week at Oxford. Captain Cameron Brannagan is among the club’s highest-paid permanent players on £15,000.
Portsmouth – Jacob Brown
Jacob Brown’s loan move instantly made him Pompey’s top earner at £30,000 per week — matching his Luton salary.
Preston North End – Lewis Dobbin
Lewis Dobbin earns £17,500 per week at Deepdale and has impressed after previous frustrating spells, playing a key role in Preston’s promotion push.
Queens Park Rangers – Steve Cook
Steve Cook leads QPR’s wage bill on £30,000 per week. His experience and leadership have proven crucial under Julien Stephan.
Sheffield United – Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips earns £45,000 weekly at Bramall Lane — £10,000 more than Japhet Tanganga.
Sheffield Wednesday – Jerry Yates
With financial issues ongoing and an 18-point deduction suffered, Sheffield Wednesday’s top earner is Jerry Yates on £22,500 per week, though the majority may be covered by Luton.
Southampton – Finn Azaz
Finn Azaz earns £50,000 per week after his £12m move to St Mary’s. Despite inconsistency, he has delivered strong individual output.
Stoke City – Ben Gibson
Ben Gibson earns £35,000 per week at Stoke despite injury setbacks limiting his appearances.
Swansea City – Cameron Burgess / Adam Idah
Both players earn £25,000 weekly. Burgess has impressed since arriving on a free, while Idah has struggled to fully convince supporters.
Watford – Imran Louza
Imran Louza earns £32,500 per week at Vicarage Road and continues to attract outside interest with consistent performances.
West Bromwich Albion – Nat Phillips
Nat Phillips leads West Brom’s payroll on £40,000 per week during a difficult campaign.
Wrexham – Kieffer Moore
Kieffer Moore earns £30,000 per week and has already delivered goals, including a perfect hat-trick against Coventry in October.
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