Five Birmingham City transfer targets Chris Davies must sign if he wants to challenge for promotion in 2025/26
As the dust settles from their League One triumph, Birmingham City are setting their sights on Championship glory in 2025/26.
Manager Chris Davies faces the tough task of boosting his squad with impactful signings.
Here we have taken a look at five key transfers reportedly on the Blues’ radar, with each player offering the quality and depth needed for a strong promotion charge.
From a Champions League midfielder to promising young talent, these players could be key to Birmingham’s quest for success.
Five players Birmingham City should sign
Che Adams
One name that Birmingham have been circling is Che Adams. EFL Analysis exclusively revealed last week that Adams is reportedly one big target on their list.
Adams is a ‘very expensive’ option for Birmingham this summer, but it all depends on whether the Scotsman would be willing to drop into the Championship. Adams is currently playing for Serie A side Torino, where he has scored nine goals in the league this season after leaving Southampton in 2024.
But it was at Birmingham where the 28-year-old became a fan favourite with a 22-goal haul in the 2018/19 campaign before joining the Saints in 2019.
Angus Gunn
Birmingham City have been linked with Mark Travers, but there’s another goalkeeper on their list, Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn, with this position looking to be a priority.
This comes after current second-choice Bailey Peacock-Farrell failed to meet expectations, leading to a swap in the pecking order with Ryan Allsop.
Despite not starting the season, boyhood fan Allsop impressively secured the League One Golden Glove with 21 clean sheets in just 38 matches.
Gunn would bring valuable experience from both the Premier League with Southampton and the Championship with Norwich City.
Yannik Keitel
A recent German Cup winner with VfB Stuttgart, Keitel could be a surprise target for Birmingham City, offering cover and competition for Tomoki Iwata in defensive midfield.
The 25-year-old joined Stuttgart from Freiburg last summer but hasn’t secured a regular starting role, largely due to the form of Angelo Stiller and captain Atakan Karazor.
Despite limited Bundesliga starts, Keitel has featured in the Champions League, notably scoring a long-range goal against Young Boys.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Birmingham City have been linked with Kwame Poku but Crystal Palace are reportedly willing to listen to offers for winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The left-footed right-winger, known for his pace, aligns with the Blues’ desired attacking threat. The 22-year-old previously shone in League One with Charlton, contributing 23 goals and earning club awards.
While a past Birmingham loan didn’t materialise, he gained Championship experience at Sheffield United, scoring seven goals in 35 appearances.
His availability comes from limited Premier League opportunities under new Palace management, potentially making him an attractive and attainable target for Birmingham City this summer.
Mateo Joseph
Signed from Espanyol three years ago with the view to becoming a future star, Mateo Joseph Fernández-Regatillo, a 21-year-old forward with both Spanish and British citizenship, has struggled for consistent first-team opportunities at Elland Road, playing just 1,270 Championship minutes and scoring three goals this past season.
This lack of game time, despite Leeds United’s initial hopes and his contract running until 2028, could make him an appealing target for Birmingham, offering Joseph a chance for more minutes.
While his club appearances have been limited, his record for Spain’s U21 side, where he’s netted five goals in six caps, showcases his potential and goalscoring ability, something Birmingham might be keen to unlock.
What we know about Birmingham City’s promotion plans
Birmingham City’s strategy for Championship promotion will heavily utilise loan-to-buy deals, mirroring the successful approaches of Sunderland and Burnley, according to EFL Analysis’s Graeme Bailey.
This tactic is crucial for clubs without parachute payments, allowing the Blues to attract higher-calibre players with a future commitment to buy upon promotion – a scenario Chairman Tom Wagner and the club are confident of achieving.
Under manager Chris Davies, and with new signings targeted for key positions, this loan-to-buy focus, alongside their significant financial backing, is seen as instrumental in their push for back-to-back promotions.
