Birmingham City rivalling Sheffield United and Coventry City in race to sign £7m-rated Premier League gem
The latest Championship transfer news as Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Coventry City target a Brentford star.
Birmingham City are interested in signing Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka this January, Birmingham World understands.
Blues are considering signing a new midfielder before the winter transfer window comes to a close and Onyeka is understood to be on the shortlist. If Chris Davies gives the green light, there’s optimism a deal can be done as Brentford are open to letting Onyeka leave this month – either on loan or permanently.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews recently admitted there have been discussions with Onyeka behind the scenes, as the midfielder is unhappy with his current game time. "I know Frank is keen to play football more regularly than he has and I completely understand that," Andrews said.
According to BBC Sport, a fee of around £7-8 million could be enough to lure Onyeka away from the Gtech Community Stadium before the end of the window. It awaits to be seen whether Birmingham would be willing to pay such a figure, though the interest is certainly there.
Sheffield United and Coventry City also in Onyeka race
Birmingham are not the only Championship side looking at Onyeka, as The Standard recently revealed that Coventry City and Sheffield United have lodged enquiries. Onyeka, who spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side Augsburg as a regular starter, has played just 88 minutes of Premier League action so far this term.
It has long been clear that Onyeka is not in the Bees’ long-term plans, and so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to drop down to the Championship. Coventry and Sheffield United can be considered potential suitors, but so can Birmingham, so the race could go down to the wire.
Onyeka, who recently featured four times for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, would like a prominent role wherever he ends up. That may not be guaranteed even in the Championship, at least initially, though he’d be more likely to feel the importance he desires.
At 28, in his prime, Onyeka has 18 months left on his Brentford contract. The 41-time Nigeria international is versatile as he can play in a host of central midfield roles, and he’s also got European experience, having featured in the Champions League for FC Midtjylland before his move to west London.