Birmingham City have made a good start to their summer transfer window – with four new faces through the door and Chris Davies moulding the squad from the players he has inherited.
Goalkeepers Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have joined to battle for the No. 1 shirt. Alfie May has been brought in to spearhead the attack, while Emil Hansson became the latest arrival when his transfer from Heracles was completed at the end of last week.
In terms of pruning, Alex Pritchard has been off-loaded to Sivasspor, with Juninho Bacuna expected to join him imminently.
Obviously the business won’t end there, more ins and outs are expected – and Blues will continue to be linked with new players. Here’s the latest as BirminghamLive understands it.
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Gold standard
Reports in Scotland have claimed Blues are keen on Rangers centre back Connor Goldson – and it seems likely there is at least some degree of interest, but not necessarily one that results in what would be a blockbusting transfer by League One standards.
The 31-year-old, who has played in a Europa League final, has the experience and leadership that would undoubtedly help Blues is said to need to convince Rangers boss Philippe Clement that he is part of his plans.
With three years left on his contract the Scottish press say Blues would need to ‘spend big’ to lure the Wolverhampton-born defender back to the West Midlands – and that’s where considerations like transfer fees and wages for an older player come into the equation.
Plus there’s the likelihood competition will emerge - it’s been reported that Goldson’s former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard wants to take him to Al-Ettifaq. A bidding war with a Saudi Pro League side is probably not the way to go for Blues, if they even want to.
Additionally, Goldson has flown out with the rest of the Rangers squad to their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.
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Blues have been connected with Liverpool youngster Owen Beck, a left-back who spent last season on loan with Dundee. The 21-year-old came through the youth set-ups at Flint Town, Tranmere Rovers and Stoke City before moving to Liverpool as an Under-13.
Last season was his breakthrough, he started the campaign off at Dundee, was recalled by Liverpool in January, made his debut for the Reds and was then returned to Dens Park at the end of the month. His season was ended early by groin troubles but not before he had done enough to get himself in the Scottish PFA Team of the Year.
Anyway, as we understand it Blues are aware of the Wales Under-21 – and may even have made an enquiry as suggested by Football Scotland – but are not currently pursuing a deal for him. What that does suggest though is that they are looking at left back as a position to address/improve/solidify.
Bac in time
Blues have accepted a bid for Bacuna and he has met with Sivasspor to discuss personal terms. He has not travelled with Blues to Austria for their pre-season camp. As things stand those negotiations are ongoing and further developments are expected this week.
Curacao international Bacuna joined Blues from Rangers in January 2022 and made 111 appearances in his two-and-half-years at St Andrew’s. He scored nine of his 13 goals for the club during the 2023/24 campaign as Blues suffered relegation from the Championship.
