Birmingham City told £4.5m transfer price as Blackburn Rovers eye swoop

Birmingham City have been told what it will cost to land ES Troyes AC's Ike Ugbo.

According to Alan Nixon, an EFL journalist for The Sun, Troyes are demanding £4.5m for Ugbo. He added that Sheffield Wednesday, are trying to reach a compromise with the French club over the price.

Nixon said that Ugbo 'may not be keen' on dropping in to League One. Stoke City are also interested in signing him, but it is the Owls who are probably in the best position to sign him, as he had such a successful loan spell there last term, and will want to continue what he started under Danny Rohl.

The 25-year-old got seven goals in 19 games for Wednesday as he inspired them to survival. He spent the first part of last season on loan at Cardiff, netting four times in 22 matches. Last week, Wednesday head coach Rohl said that Ugbo was a 'crucial' player but did say different options might be explored.

In other news, Blackburn Rovers are reportedly interested in signing Siriki Dembele. According to Alan Nixon, John Eustace is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Dembele after working with him during their time together at St Andrew's.

The 27-year-old was signed for an undisclosed fee last summer when Eustace was in charge, but could now see his future lie away from the Midlands. After Eustace was sacked, Dembele went on to register just four more goal contributions.

A brace against Blackburn, an assist against Cardiff and a goal against Swansea City is all that came from him as he played under Wayne Rooney, Tony Mowbray, and Gary Rowett. He made a total of 37 appearances with 25 of those being starts, and finished with six goals and an assist.

Dembele is under contract for another two years and so if Blackburn are serious about signing him then it will cost them a fee. Alan Nixon added that Blackburn could use the funds from the potential sale of Sammie Szmodics to Ipswich Town to fund a deal.