Following the relegation of West Ham, Wolves, and Burnley from the Premier League, the Championship promotion race will be heated in 2026/27.
Southampton and Middlesbrough will also be hoping for a top-two finish.
And Norwich City, Birmingham City, Wrexham, Derby County, and others will want to compete for a play-off spot, especially with two additional teams qualifying for the competition from now on.
The midfield struggle could be crucial in determining the fate of the promotion race, and the club’s financial strength could make a difference.
Using Capology’s predicted estimates, we look at the 12 highest-paid centre-midfielders in the Championship for the next season.
12James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse dropped down the pecking order at West Ham following Nuno Espirito Santo’s hiring last season.
This resulted in the midfielder being loaned out to Burnley, and both clubs were eventually relegated from the Premier League.
According to reports, the Hammers’ first-team squad would get a 50% wage cut as a result of their relegation.
Ward-Prowse now earns £28,750 per week for the rest of his Championship career, where he hopes to assist the club win promotion in 2026/27.
11Flynn Downes
Flynn Downes was a regular for Southampton last season, although the squad failed to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
The Saints were kicked out of the play-offs for breaking the EFL’s regulations on spying on opposition training sessions, therefore ending their chances of returning to the Premier League.
Nonetheless, the midfielder is confident he can play a significant role in Tonda Eckert’s side next season as they aim for another promotion push.
And Downes is the highest-paid player in his position on the club, earning £30,000 per week.
10Edoardo Bove
Edoardo Bove joined Watford last season as a free agent after regaining full fitness.
The midfielder was only able to make 11 appearances as he continues to recover from a collapse during a Fiorentina match against Inter Milan, which required him to have a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator installed.
While he is ineligible to play in Italy, he has successfully transitioned to English football and has signed a contract with the Hornets paying £30,000 per week.
The midfielder hopes to make a bigger impact at Vicarage Road over the coming year to help the squad regain its competitiveness.
9Kenny McLean
Kenny McLean has been a prominent character for Norwich City for numerous seasons, including two promotion efforts under Daniel Farke.
Philippe Clement will aim for a top-eight finish in 2026/27, having leading the squad to ninth place previous season.
The Belgian will rely on McLean’s experience and quality to boost the Canaries’ promotion hopes.
As a result, the 34-year-old Scottish midfielder is the highest-paid player in the squad, earning £30,000 per week from the Norfolk club.
8Imran Louza
Imran Louza has emerged as one of Watford’s most significant players in the past year, following a successful Championship campaign.
The 27-year-old scored seven goals and provided nine assists in 42 league games in 2025/26, demonstrating why he is the Hornets’ highest-paid midfielder.
Watford pays the Morocco international £32,500 and hopes he will assist the club return to competitiveness next season.
However, there is conjecture about his future, which might see him leave Vicarage Road before the 1 September deadline.
7Tomas Soucek
West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last season after finishing in 18th place, but Tomas Soucek has decided to stay at the London Stadium.
It may be a long until we see him compete in the Championship, as he sustained an injury when competing in the World Cup in North America this summer.
Espírito Santo hopes to see the midfielder return to action as soon as possible, as he is a crucial member of the team.
Despite a 50% pay decrease, the 31-year-old remains one of the highest-paid players in his position in the division, earning £45,000 per week.
6Edson Álvarez
Edson Álvarez’s future at West Ham is uncertain this summer due to their relegation to the Championship.
The Mexico international spent last season on loan with Fenerbahce, although he only appeared in 12 Turkish Super Lig games.
Despite the 50 percent salary drop for West Ham players, he currently earns £50,000 per week from the London club.
This makes him the highest paid midfielder in Espírito Santo’s roster for the upcoming Championship season.
5Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen missed the majority of the second half of the Premier League season due to injury, and his absence was felt as the squad finished 19th.
The Ireland international will hope to return to full fitness in 2026/27, as the Clarets aim for promotion under Nicky Hayen.
Cullen’s performances for Lancashire have earned him a weekly pay of £55,000.
Given his importance to the club, supporters will want to see him return to the team as soon as possible.
4Boubacar Traoré
Wolves have been relegated to the Championship following eight seasons in the top division, finishing 20th in the table.
Cesar Peixoto has taken over as manager, and he hopes Boubacar Traoré will be an important part of his plans.
The midfielder returned to his previous club Metz on loan last season, but has returned to Molineux this summer.
Wolves pay the 24-year-old £55,000 a week, making him the Championship’s fourth highest-paid midfielder.
3André
André played in 35 of Wolves’ 38 league games last season, with 30 starts and one goal.
The Brazilian is expected to play a vital role under Peixoto in the upcoming campaign, with the Old Gold pursuing promotion.
The 25-year-old is paid £65,000 per week by the Midlands club, making him the division’s third highest-paid centre-midfielder.
2Marshall Munetsi
Marshall Munetsi joined Paris FC on loan in January, but he returned to Wolves this summer as they prepare for life in the Championship.
The midfielder might be an important member of the squad as the Old Gold seeks promotion back to the top flight.
The 30-year-old’s pay is £70,000 per week, and the club will want to maximise its value this season.
1Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Wolves have the highest-paid centre-midfielder in the Championship heading into the new season.
Last season, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde made 26 Premier League appearances, starting 15 of them.
Despite his paucity of playing time last season, he is the highest-paid midfielder in both the Wolves squad and the second division, earning £75,000 per week.
xz
