The EFL season began in August, and the transfer market has officially closed, as teams prepare for a potential year ahead.

Clubs across the divisions will all be vying for promotion, and with the transfer market closed, their focus will be solely on making the most of the squads at their disposal.

The Championship is expected to be very competitive, with West Ham, Wolves, and Burnley dropping down from the Premier League, as well as Norwich City, Middlesbrough, Southampton, and many others all aiming for a top two or top eight finish.

After a busy summer of transfer expenditure, club valuations have shifted drastically since the end of the previous season.

We use Transfermarkt data to identify the top 20 most valuable clubs in the EFL based on their current squads.

20Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic are in their second season back in the Championship under Nathan Jones, and they have assembled a squad worth £35.5 million.

Arthur Okonkwo, the Addicks’ most important first-team player, joined from Wrexham for £4.3 million this summer.

19West Brom

West Brom narrowly averted relegation to League One last season, and have been left with a squad value of £50 million as a result.

Isaac Price is their most valuable player at £10.3 million, with James Morrison now in charge on a permanent basis after a successful temporary stay to conclude the previous campaign.

18Preston North End

Preston North End’s squad is valued at £50.8 million after players such as Robbie Brady and Will Keane left, as well as Daniel Jebbison, who returned to his parent club on loan.

Their most important player in this new campaign is now Alfie Devine, who is worth £6.8 million.

17Bristol City

Bristol City finished 12th in the Championship table, dropping out of the playoffs after finishing sixth in 2025.

This summer, the Robins appointed Michael Skubala as manager, and he took over a squad worth £53.1 million.

Their most valued player is Scott Twine, with the attacker earning £12 million following his great achievements at Ashton Gate, having produced 11 goals and six assists in 2025/26.

16QPR

QPR’s roster is now valued at £59.1 million, but Julien Stéphan will undoubtedly aim to enhance that amount in the final phases of the summer transfer window.

Richard Kone is the most valuable player in the squad, at £6.9 million.

15Derby County

Derby County nearly missed out on a top six finish in only their second season back in the second tier, finishing eighth with a team now worth £61.6 million.

Patrick Agyemang, an American forward who is presently sidelined due to injury, is their most valuable player, at £8.6 million.

14Leicester City

Following their relegation from the Championship, Leicester City is the highest-placed League One team on this list.

The Foxes’ team is valued at £61.6 million, with Wout Faes presently at £8.5 million.

13Millwall

Millwall’s squad is valued at £70.2 million following their play-off semi-final defeat to Hull City.

Several Lions players left at the end of the season, notably Anthony Patterson and Will Smallbone, who returned to their original clubs.

This has left Tristan Crama as their most valuable player, worth £10.3 million.

12Watford

Watford’s roster is valued at £70.8 million following the appointment of Alessio Dionisi, who will attempt to guide the club back into promotion contention next season.

Othmane Maamma is now the Hornets’ most valuable player, earning £6.8 million.

11Wrexham

Wrexham’s squad is worth £82.1 million, following their seventh-place finish in the Championship under Phil Parkinson.

Callum Doyle is the Red Dragons’ most valuable player, worth £10.3 million, having joined from Manchester City in 2025.

10Stoke City

Mark Robins will be looking to lead Stoke City to a promotion battle next season, after the team’s form dipped in the second half of the previous season.

The Potters’ squad is worth £83.5 million, with Justin Devenny valued at £10.3 million, the highest of any player on the team.