Birmingham City receive £4.2m bid, striker rejects transfer, star retires at 31 and Sheffield Wednesday update

Birmingham City are continuing their preparations for their EFL Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday night.

Blues will be keen to bounce back after defeat to West Brom last weekend and have an opportunity to create a further gap between themselves and the relegation zone. A win over the Owls would see them move seven points clear of QPR who occupy the third and final relegation spot.

Here's the latest news surrounding Birmingham City on Thursday, February 8...

Former Brentford man turned down Blues

Birmingham City failed in their attempts to sign Galatasaray striker Halil Dervisoglu, according to reports in Turkey. Turkish journalist Kaya Temel reported that Dervisoglu received offers from Birmingham as well as FC Twente but that the player was 'not keen' on joining either club. Dervisoglu saw an opportunity present itself after Cedric Bakambu was sold to Real Betis and opted to fight for his place at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium rather than go out on loan.

The 24-year-old had an unsuccessful spell in England - where he made a scored just once in a combined 21 appearances for Brentford who signed him for Sparta Rotterdam for €3 and then Burnley who took him on loan last year.

Dervisoglu was sold to Galatasaray but has failed to hold down a place for Galatasaray, making 14 appearances in which only six of them have been starts. He has got four goals for his new club but they have come in Champions League qualifying and the Turkish Cup.

Bid for Bacuna

Turkish outlet AS Marca claims that Juninho Bacuna is subject of interest from Fenerbahce. It is reported that an offer of €5m (£4.2m) has been lodged for the Curaçao international.

Turkey's transfer window shuts on Friday, February 9, and so if Blues were to consider selling him then they would be unable to sign a replacement. The 26-year-old has been a key figure for Birmingham this season and has registered seven goals and five assists in 30 games. He is under contract at St Andrew's until the summer of 2025, leaving him with 18 months on his current contract.

Sheffield Wednesday ticket update

Supporters who are interested in attending Birmingham's EFL Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday will have until 10.00 am on Friday to buy their tickets. Fans won't be able to buy a ticket on the turnstiles ahead of the clash at Hillsborough.

The decision was confirmed by BCFC on Thursday. Posted just before Thursday afternoon, the ticketing department at Birmingham said: "The Club can confirm that pay on the day will not be made available for tomorrow night's fixture against Sheffield Wednesday. "Tickets are due to go off sale both online and via the ticket office @ 10am on Friday."

Birmingham City were given an initial allocation of 2,221 tickets including eight pairs of wheelchair spaces and companion tickets. They are priced at £30 for adults, £20 for under-21s and over 65s, as well as £15 for under-17s, £10 for under-11s, and £5 for under-5s. Tickets went on general sale last Friday.

Ex-striker retires at 31

Former Birmingham City striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen has called time on his playing career at 31. Brock-Madsen was a Blues player from 2015 to 2019 and was signed for a reported £500,000.

He made eight appearances in total during his time in the Midlands and had loan spells with PEC Zwolle, Cracovia and St Mirren. He departed in 2019 and signed for AC Horsens, and retired with his last club being FC Frederica, a side in the second tier of Danish football.

John Eustace 'front runner' for Blackburn Rovers job

Former Blues boss John Eustace is 'admired' by the Blackburn board as they consider replacing manager Jon Dahl Tomasson. There are 'serious doubts' about Tomasson's future at Ewood Park, and Blackburn are already thinking about contingency options. Eustace according to various outlets is the 'front-runner' for the job should Tomasson depart.