Top 12 highest paid EFL Championship centre-midfielders in 2026/27 | OneFootball

Ranking the 12 best paid centre-midfielders in the Championship in 2026/27

The battle for promotion will be fierce in the Championship in 2026/27 following West Ham, Wolves and Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League.

The likes of Southampton and Middlesbrough will also be aiming to get in the mix for a top two finish.

And Norwich City, Birmingham City, Wrexham, Derby County and more will want to fight for a play-off place, particularly with two more teams qualifying for the competition from now on.

The midfield battle could prove quite key in determining the outcome of the promotion race, and this will be where the club’s financial muscle could prove a difference-maker.

Using estimated figures from Capology, we look at the 12 best paid centre-midfielders in the Championship for the upcoming campaign.

12 ? ? James Ward-Prowse

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James Ward-Prowse fell down the pecking order at West Ham following the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo last season.

This led to the midfielder going out on loan to Burnley, with both clubs ultimately suffering relegation from the Premier League.

And that relegation has reportedly led to the Hammers’ first team squad receiving a 50 percent pay deduction.

This has left Ward-Prowse with a salary of £28,750 per week for life in the Championship, where he will be hoping to help the club gain promotion in 2026/27.

11 ? ? Flynn Downes

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Flynn Downes was a regular presence for Southampton last season as the team failed to gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Saints were expelled from the play-offs for breaching the EFL’s rules relating to spying on opposition training sessions, which ended their hopes of a return to the Premier League.

Nevertheless, the midfielder will be optimistic he can play a key role in Tonda Eckert’s side next season as they set their sights on another promotion push.

And Downes is the best paid player in his position in the squad, earning £30,000 per week.

10 ? ? Edoardo Bove

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Edoardo Bove made the move to Watford last season as a result of his return to full fitness, signing as a free agent.

The midfielder was only capable of 11 appearances, as he continues to get back up to speed after he collapsed during a Fiorentina clash against Inter Milan which led to him having a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator implanted.

While he is unable to play in Italy, he has made the transition to English football and has earned a contract with the Hornets worth £30,000 per week.

The midfielder will be hoping to make a bigger impact at Vicarage Road over the next 12 months to help the team return to a competitive level.

9 ? ? Kenny McLean

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Kenny McLean has been a key figure at Norwich City for several seasons now, including in two of their promotion campaigns under Daniel Farke.

Philippe Clement will be targeting a top eight finish in 2026/27 after overseeing the team’s rise to ninth last season.

The Belgian will be relying on McLean’s experience and quality to help the Canaries’ promotion ambition.

The Scot is the best paid midfielder in the squad as a result, with the 34-year-old receiving £30,000-a-week from the Norfolk outfit.

8 ? ? Imran Louza

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Imran Louza has become one of Watford’s most valuable players over the last 12 months after a strong Championship campaign.

The 27-year-old contributed seven goals and nine assists from 42 league appearances in 2025/26, which shows why he is the best paid midfielder in the Hornets’ squad.

The Morocco international is paid £32,500 by Watford, and the club will be hoping he can help the club return to a competitive level next season.

However, there is also speculation over his future, which could see him move away from Vicarage Road before the 1 September deadline.

7 ? ? Tomas Soucek

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West Ham suffered relegation from the Premier League last season with an 18th place finish, but Tomas Soucek is staying at the London Stadium.

It might be a while before we see him competing in the Championship, as he picked up an injury while competing in the World Cup in North America this summer.

But Espírito Santo will be keen to see him back in action sooner rather than later, as the midfielder is a key figure for the club.

Even with a 50 percent pay cut, the 31-year-old is still one of the best paid players in his position in the division with a salary of £45,000-a-week.

6 ? ? Edson Álvarez

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Edson Álvarez’s future at West Ham is up in the air this summer following their relegation to the Championship.

The Mexico international spent last season on loan with Fenerbahce, but he made just 12 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig.

Yet the 50 percent pay cut for West Ham players means he still receives £50,000 per week from the London outfit at the moment.

This makes him the best paid midfielder in Espírito Santo’s squad for the upcoming Championship campaign.

5 ? ? Josh Cullen

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Josh Cullen missed most of the second half of the Premier League season through injury, and his absence was felt as the team struggled to a 19th place finish.

The Ireland international will be hoping to get back to his best in 2026/27 when he returns to full fitness, with the Clarets targeting promotion under Nicky Hayen.

Cullen has earned his way to a £55,000-a-week salary off the back of his performances for the Lancashire outfit.

And supporters will be keen to see him back in the team as quickly as possible given his importance to the club.

4 ? ? Boubacar Traoré

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Wolves have suffered relegation to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight, coming 20th in the table.

Cesar Peixoto has taken over as manager, and he will be hoping that Boubacar Traoré will be a key part of his plans.

The midfielder returned to his former club Metz on loan last season, but has come back to Molineux over the summer.

The 24-year-old is paid £55,000 per week by Wolves, making him the fourth best paid midfielder in the Championship.

3 ? ? André

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André featured in 35 of Wolves’ 38 league games last season, including making 30 starts, scoring one goal.

The Brazilian is likely to be a key figure under Peixoto in the upcoming campaign, as the Old Gold target promotion.

The 25-year-old is paid £65,000 per week by the Midlands outfit, ranking him third on the list of best paid centre-midfielders in the division.