Birmingham City were ‘very close’ to signing Leeds United star who played under Tony Mowbray

Tony Mowbray has revealed Birmingham City were “very close” to signing Sheffield Wednesday star Ian Poveda last month.

The duo worked together at Blackburn Rovers, with Poveda starting the 2021-22 season well before suffering a long-term ankle injury. A tricky and skilful winger, the 24-year-old has represented Columbia at senior level but rarely featured for Leeds United.

An abundance of options in wide areas made Poveda surplus to requirements at Elland Road. The winger started just one game - against Birmingham in August - all season before being allowed to leave on loan.

Wednesday turned to the trickster in their quest for survival. In his first start for the Owls, Poveda bagged the assist for Ike Ugbo’s opener as they put Birmingham to the sword in style.

He turned Lee Buchanan inside out on the right flank before slotting home Ugbo for a simple finish. The victory lifted Wednesday to within five points of safety and, buoyed by a win and several loan arrivals, they will feel confident of putting a run together from now until May.

Mowbray has revealed the Blues made a last-ditch attempt to sign Poveda on deadline day. He said: “Poveda is a good player, I would have to say. We were very close to signing Poveda in this window. He's a player I had at Blackburn Rovers and is a very talented young boy.”

Birmingham will be given a second chance to sign Poveda at the end of the campaign when his Leeds contract expires. It appears unlikely that the Whites - who brought him to Yorkshire four years ago - will be renewing his current deal.