The world of football finance has been increasingly popular in recent seasons, with various clubs in England and throughout the world experiencing financial success or tragedy.

Ironically, the Championship has recently received a lot of attention for the aforementioned topic, thanks to its diverse mix of clubs with a rich past and current desire.

The second tier has also become a hotbed for players to express themselves before moving on to the Premier League, either through a big-money transfer or the eventual success of their current employers.

Having said that, there was a lot of action in the recently closed transfer window, which has marginally affected the division’s financial landscape in terms of club fees paid and wages offered.

As a result, Football League World investigated who is considered to be the highest-paid player at each of the division’s 24 clubs, based on ESTIMATED Capology data.

Birmingham City: Carlos Vicente

According to the aforementioned figures, Birmingham City’s highest-paid player is now £7 million January signing Carlos Vicente.

The 26-year-old joined Blues from Deportivo Alaves during an incredibly active winter window, and after a solid first half of the season for the Basque side, he will be hoping to propel his new club into the play-offs at the end of his first half-season at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

Blackburn Rovers’ Todd Cantwell

Blackburn Rovers have had a terrible season so far, and it could have been even worse if the East Lancashire club couldn’t rely on Todd Cantwell’s creative spark.

The two-time promotion winner is currently the highest-paid player at Ewood Park, earning an estimated £30,000 a week, which may surprise some considering Rovers’ well-documented and long-standing ownership and financial problems.

Bristol City: Delano Burgzorg / Luke McNally / Neto Borges

Bristol City has three players who supposedly make £20,000 per week, two of which being Middlesbrough loanees Neto Borges and Delano Burzorg.

The other player receiving the biggest eight-figure fee now on offer at Ashton Gate is centre-back Luke McNally, who has had a particularly unhappy recent period.

The Irishman suffered a catastrophic ACL injury a year ago and is currently fighting to regain full health and competitive action.

Charlton Athletic’s Conor Coady

Conor Coady is the highest-paid member of Nathan Jones’ Charlton Athletic squad, having recently joined the South London club on loan for the rest of the season at a rate of £25,000 per week.

The 10-cap England international made his Addicks debut against previous club Leicester City on January 31st, and he will hope his expertise helps guide the club to safety.

Furthermore, Thomas Kaminski is the highest-paid permanent player at The Valley, earning £5,000 less than Coady.

Coventry City: Luke Woolfenden / Matt Grimes / Haji Wright / Ellis Simms

Four Coventry City players presently earn the club’s highest weekly wage of £25,000.

The first of these comes in the form of summer signing Luke Woolfenden, who joins Matt Grimes, Haji Wright, and Ellis Simms on that front.

Wright, of course, remains the Sky Blues’ biggest signing, having arrived from Antalyaspor for £7.7 million in 2023.

Derby County: Sammie Szmodics / Ben Brereton Diaz / Carlton Morris

Three Derby County players make a club-high £25,000 per week, including two loanees in Sammie Szmodics and Ben Brereton Diaz.

However, Carlton Morris, the Rams’ highest-paid permanent player, was signed this summer.

Hull City, John Lundstram

Despite transfer constraints, Hull City has received high accolades for its signings this season.

One of their latest signings, Trabzonspor loanee John Lundstram, is the top earner at the MKM Stadium, earning £45,500 per week during his temporary term with the Turkish Süper Lig team.

Ipswich Town’s Dara O’Shea, Leif Davis, and Jens Cajuste

Ipswich Town is another club with several players earning the club’s highest salary.

Dara O’Shea and Leif Davis have been joined by Napoli loanee Jens Cajuste on a weekly salary of £35,000, demonstrating Town’s financial strength following their relegation from the Premier League last season.

Leicester City: Harry Winks

However, such a price pales in comparison to what Leicester City is paying Harry Winks, the Championship’s highest-paid player at £90,000 per week.

The former England international has been making such a stunning sum despite scarcely appearing for the Foxes this season, and the club was penalised with a six-point deduction at the start of February due to financial irregularities.

Middlesbrough – Matt Targett

Next up comes the division’s highest-paid loanee, Middlesbrough defender Matt Targett, who earns £60,000 per week while on loan from Newcastle.

However, with Boro enjoying one of the division’s greatest defensive records as part of their automatic promotion quest under Kim Hellberg, the versatile and experienced defender’s short-term signing has proven worthwhile.

Millwall’s Joe Bryan

Joe Bryan, an experienced full-back, is Millwall’s highest earning this season, making £32,500 per week.

That is despite the fact that the 32-year-old has appeared in Alex Neil’s starting lineup less than ten times this season, as the Lions aim to secure their spot in the play-offs.

Norwich City: Shane Duffy

Shane Duffy has made few appearances for Norwich City since Philippe Clement’s arrival, but the Irish defender remains the club’s highest paid at £35,000 per week.

However, it appears that this may not be the case for much longer, as the Everton academy graduate is out of contract at Carrow Road on June 30th, after coming under great scrutiny during the first half of the season for his individual performances.

Oxford United: Ben Davies

Oxford United’s highest-paid player is Rangers loanee Ben Davies, who earns £20,000 a week.

The experienced defender has had a mixed season at the Kassam Stadium in terms of game time, while fellow loanee Nik Prelec is the club’s second-highest earner at £16,500 per week.

However, it should come as no surprise that one of the United’s highest-paid permanent players is club captain and midfield lynchpin Cameron Brannagan, who makes £15,000 per week along with four of his teammates.

Portsmouth’s Jacob Brown

After FLW exclusively disclosed that Jacob Brown was the subject of a loan agreement between Portsmouth and Luton Town, the 27-year-old quickly became Pompey’s highest earner, earning £30,000 per week.

As such, this sum corresponds to the Scottish international’s weekly pay throughout his permanent stay at Kenilworth Road.

Preston North End, Lewis Dobbin

The same can be said for Preston North End and Aston Villa, with Lewis Dobbin earning the most at Deepdale with a weekly wage of £17,500.

After previously unsuccessful loan experiences in the Championship, the 23-year-old has impressed in Lancashire and might be a significant cause for North End’s first play-off berth in the second division since 2009, having scored double digits.

Queens Park Rangers’ Steve Cook

Steve Cook is at the opposite extreme of the experience range, as evidenced by the fact that he is by far the highest earning at Queens Park Rangers.

The two-time promotion winner allegedly earns £30,000 per week at Loftus Road, and he has shown to be a useful asset in the early months of Julien Stephan’s tenure in W12, with his defensive prowess at one end of the pitch and aerial threat from attacking set-pieces.

Sheffield United: Kalvin Phillips

The biggest earner for Sheffield United is Kalvin Phillips, a Manchester City loanee.

Despite being linked with a move to the Premier League, the Blades swooped to sign the former Leeds United star on loan for the rest of the season, with reports claiming he earns £45,000 a week at Bramall Lane.

That’s £10,000 more than S2’s second-highest earning, Japhet Tanganga.

Sheffield Wednesday: Jerry Yates

Sheffield Wednesday’s financial woes this season have been well documented, with an 18-point deduction rendering relegation to League One very probable for some time.

As a result, Jerry Yates, a loanee from Luton, is currently Hillsborough’s highest-paid player, earning £22,500 a week.

Although no wage split has been announced, it appears doubtful that the majority of the number would be paid by the cash-strapped Owls, who are still in takeover limbo.

Southampton – Finn Azaz

Finn Azaz, the Irish playmaker who joined Southampton for £12 million on August 29th, is the club’s top earner.

Saints have had an erratic season, but the 25-year-old is still earning £50,000 per week on the South Coast and is one of Will Still and Tonda Eckert’s top performers in terms of output.

Stoke City: Ben Gibson

Ben Gibson is the highest-paid player at Stoke City, earning £35,000 a week.

That is despite the fact that the Potters defender has missed the majority of the season due to two injuries, the latter of which occurred following the 1-0 triumph over Hull City on New Year’s Day.

Swansea City – Cameron Burgess/Adam Idah

Swansea City are the final club with two joint-top earners, with Cameron Burgess and Adam Idah earning £25,000 each week in South Wales.

Burgess has been a key player for the Swans since joining on a free transfer, but fans have grown angry with Idah, who has pleased to deceive since his £6 million move from Celtic in the summer transfer window.

Watford’s Imran Louza

Imran Louza, Watford’s talisman, is, unsurprisingly, the most expensive player at Vicarage Road.

The Moroccan playmaker is thought to earn £32,500 a week with the Hornets, as his record of impactful performances from a deep-lying position continues to pique the interest of potential suitors.

Despite the Yellows’ constant change of head coaches, the 26-year-old has had his most fruitful season with the club in terms of goal contributions.

West Bromwich Albion: Nat Phillips

West Bromwich Albion have had a disastrous season, with Nat Phillips currently leading Shilen Patel’s pay expenditure at £40,000 per week.

The former Liverpool player began his time at The Hawthorns on a high note, but has since battled to find any real consistency under Ryan Mason and current Baggies head coach Eric Ramsay.

Wrexham’s Kieffer Moore

Kieffer Moore, Wrexham’s main goal scorer, completes the list, earning £30,000 per week with the North Wales club.

Even though the Welsh international did not shatter the Red Dragons’ transfer record in the summer, his signing was a masterstroke.

Moore has already scored a ‘perfect’ hat-trick since joining the club, a 3-2 victory over Coventry City on October 31st.