Birmingham City transfer round-up: Two or three still wanted in at St Andrew’s

Birmingham City have been relatively active in the January transfer window with both ins and outs at St Andrew’s in the first two weeks.

Taylor Richards and Onel Hernandez have both joined the club on loan from Brighton and Norwich City respectively whereas Lee Bowyer has seen Chuks Aneke and Juan Familia-Castillo go the other way.

There have been mixed messages in regards to what the Blues can or cannot do in terms of recruitment in this window.

Initially it was little to nothing with a strict ‘one out one in’ policy being placed on Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer.

But then, a week prior to the window opening, Bowyer seemed far more optimistic about bringing fresh faces through the door regardless of whether anyone goes the other way.

He did do that early on with both Hernandez and Richards coming in but yet again they were both loan additions - no permanent signing to really get fans excited.

And since then, Aneke and Castillo have both departed. The former to his previous club Charlton on a permanent deal with the latter returning to his parent club, Chelsea.

This again would suggest that ‘one out, one in’ policy is back in force - unless the fee received for Aneke does loosen thing up a little.

With that said, if we take into account the departure of Riley McGree at the end of December, the Blues are owed one more new face at the very least.

Striker

A striker is the priority and has been labelled as that for some time.

The current crop have struggled to come up with the goods and with Troy Deeney now facing a spell on the sidelines through injury and Aneke returning to the Addicks - the want has become more of a need.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Preston North End, Bowyer said: “I hope he will be replaced, I think we need another striker. You see there I have just had to put on young Jobe [Bellingham]. We are lacking a little bit there.”

Kasey Palmer has been linked since week one but isn’t an out-and-out striker so there is presumably someone else being kept under the radar for now. Or you’d like to think so.

Defender

Despite Castillo not playing many minutes whatsoever in the royal blue, his outgoing does leave Bowyer shorter than he’d like at the back.

Kristian Pedersen is being linked with moves left right and centre and even though the boss claimed that was all paper talk, one wouldn’t be surprised if there was something in it.

And Harlee Dean has of course been on the transfer list since day one. Whilst there has been interest, nothing has yet materialised but him being here post January 31st would come as a shock.

If either of the above leave, a new player will become a must but it is an area certainly already on the ‘must improve’ list.

Jake Bidwell is one name that has been thrown about a lot over the last week or so. The Swansea City left-back would be a welcome addition to the Blues back line but unfortunately for Bowyer he appears to now be close to joining the wrong shade of blue in Coventry City on a permanent deal.

Alfie Mawson is the latest rumour doing the rounds as of today, too. FootyInsider claiming the Fulham central defender is in advanced talks to join the club. With six months left on his contract in west London, a permanent move would be the more likely if it is to develop.

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