Birmingham City told to sign number 10 who can “unlock defences” as transfer claim is made.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…

With the League One title secured, Birmingham City’s final few weeks of the 2024/25 season may be viewed as little more than a formality for the Championship-bound club.

However, Blues fans will want to see them finish their time in the third tier as record-breakers. Despite not winning the Vertu Trophy at Wembley due to Peterborough United’s stunning goals, this season has been a huge success for the rising team.

Chris Davies’ first season in charge has gone as well as he could have hoped, but this summer is crucial for the West Midlands club, with improvements required to help propel the squad into the top half of the Championship in 2025/26.

Birmingham’s owner, Tom Wagner, is committed to making significant progress in the upcoming years, despite the busy transfer window.

Birmingham expected to have a large transfer window.

Following their relegation from the second tier, Blues were busy in the summer of 2024, with Jay Stansfield’s late arrival becoming the biggest news in the EFL. The club smashed the League One transfer record by securing a reported £15 million deal for the striker.

Wagner has stated that he is willing to go even higher when the window opens again, causing fear in their opponents for the upcoming season.

Football League World asked Birmingham Fan Pundit Mike Gibbs about his ideal summer for his team.

In an interview with FLW, he expressed his desire to sign a new striker during the summer transfer window. Someone who has some physical presence but also brings goals to the team.

“I believe the other option would be a significant number of additions to the forward line. So, wide players and the number ten. I believe we’ve just lacked the quality to unlock teams at times.

“For me, we’d probably need some speed and directness on the wing.” Someone who isn’t afraid to take on opponents, run at them, and then in that 10 position, they can really break down defences.”

 

Mike emphasised the importance of making Kieran Dowell’s loan permanent. However, a number of wide players have most likely failed to deceive to some degree.

“I believe the other one could be a left-back depending on how Lee Buchanan recovers from injury, and obviously a right-back depending on whether Alfons Sampstead’s loan is made permanent or not.

“So it’s quite a big ask, but I think that will be the focus.”

 

Birmingham will already have targets for the summer.

Birmingham’s early promotion gives them an advantage in the upcoming transfer window, as they know which division they will be in next season, while their competitors are still deciding.

Blues have only three players who will be out of contract at the end of the season, so it may be some time before more new faces arrive at St. Andrews.

Davies will have strong support from one of the EFL’s most ambitious owners. The Championship will be aware of Birmingham’s plans to end their League One journey strong in the coming months.