'A must' - Bimingham City told to complete transfer for ex-Sheffield United and Derby County star

Birmingham City were relegated from the Championship last year. They finished in the bottom three along with Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town. However, they have since adapted well to life in League One.

The Blues are eyeing an immediate return to the second tier and look well on their way. They are sat top of the table above the likes of Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers. The Midlands outfit turned to Chris Davies as their manager last summer and he has done an impressive job so far.

Birmingham City urged to complete deal

Birmingham delved into the January market to sign Kieran Dowell on loan from Rangers. He has since made a positive impression and former footballer Lee Hendrie believes they should go all out to try and land him on a permanent basis this summer. He is due to return to Ibrox later this year.

Hendrie has said, as per a report by Football League World: “They're coming out of League One into the Championship, they're going to need players like him, and I think that will be the key to their success. If they can keep a good squad of players who can adapt and play in the Championship, I think he's definitely one that you'd think that they'd want to maybe keep on a permanent basis in the summer."

The former Aston Villa man added: "Squad depth in the Championship is so key because of the relentless amount of games and that has been proven in League One as well for them. I do feel that they should keep Dowell on a permanent. There's still more to come from him, so keeping Dowell is a must."

Will Birmingham City sign Kieron Dowell?

Time will tell whether Birmingham end up snapping up Dowell. His situation depends on what Rangers plan to do with him ahead of the next campaign. His parent club brought him in back in 2023 from Norwich City and he has since played 32 matches for the Glasgow giants, finding the net on two occasions.

The Blues were given the green light to bring him in this past winter to boost their attacking ranks. He has since scored three goals in 14 matches. The Merseyside-born man has given Davies more competition and depth and he has settled in well.

Dowell has also had spells in the past at Everton, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby County and Wigan Athletic. After joining Birmingham, he said: “I am buzzing to get going, it has happened really fast but I spoke to Craig Gardner and Chris Davies and they are both so ambitious. The lads here are absolutely flying at the moment and there is a really positive feel about the place."It is a good chance for me to come and play football, come and play for a team who like to dominate the ball. I have always thrived playing in teams that like to control the ball, and speaking to the Manager I was completely sold with the way he wants to play."