Cardiff City end West Brom and Birmingham City rumour as Blues striker rejects Charlton

Cardiff City are said to have won the race to sign Nottingham Forest centre-back Jonathan Panzo, according to various reports.

A whole host of Championship clubs including Birmingham City and West Brom had been linked with him this summer, but it is the Bluebirds who have secured his signature. He is expected to join the Welsh club on a season-long loan deal, according to WalesOnline journast Glen Williams.

It was reported earlier this week that West Brom had been pursuing a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, and had ‘explored a deal’ for months. Carlos Corbean would like reinforcements today, but may have to move players out to fund such moves.

Meanwhile Birmingham City had already moved on to alternative targets and have signed Emanuel Aiwu on a season-long loan from Serie B side Cremonese. The 22-year-old completed his deal from abroad, and will fly to Birmingham shortly to meet up with his teammates ahead of their lunch-time Championship clash with Millwall.

“Emanuel is a very athletic centre-half who can play in central midfield and right-back as well,” said John Eustace when the signing was announced last night. He is very versatile. He gives us a good option if we do get injuries in certain areas.

“Speaking to him he is very hungry to come over to England and do well, so I’m sure he will be a good addition. Longy and Dion have been magnificent over the first four or five games and we have had no cover behind them. It gives cover to vital positions.”

In other news, Barnsley are trying to negotiate a deal with Birmingham City for out-of-favour striker Sam Cosgrove. A report from Alan Nixon, an EFL journalist for The Sun, revealed on his Patreon that the League One side are trying to 'pull off a loan move' for the striker.

He was described as 'available' and 'keen to play' and it was revealed that he rejected an offer from Charlton Athletic, and had also been linked with a move to Blackpool earlier in the transfer window.

The 26-year-old isn't in Eustace's plans, and has struggled to make an impact since joining Birmingham City for a reported £2m back in 2021. He has played 17 games over the course of three-and-a-half-seasons, but has yet to score for Blues. He has had loan spells at Shrewsbury, Wimbledon, and last year at Plymouth Argyle where he won the League One title.