Birmingham City transfer target and ex-West Brom star to join Championship club TODAY

Birmingham City transfer target Oliver Burke is set to sign for a Championship on a free transfer, according to various reports.

Sunday Mirror Sports journalist Darren Witcoop claims that the 26-year-old is on his way back to the Championship, and potentially with Blues. It is thought that QPR had looked at a deal but Gareth Ainsworth has ruled out any more transfers, and now it ‘all points to a free transfer switch to Birmingham’.

Interest in the Scotland international has been reported for a month, and now a move to St Andrews could happen. It was confirmed by the club that Burke was missing from training on Wednesday as he is in ‘talks over an exit’ as he ‘closes in on a return to English football’. He did not feature in their game at the weekend, and was not nursing an injury.

It is unsure yet where Burke could go but German outlet BILD claims it will be to a Championship club, and that a move will be finalised today.

The 26-year-old had a loan spell at Millwall earlier this year, making 17 appearances, with two goals and two assists. He had only signed with Werder Bremen last summer, and has a contract until the summer of 2025 with the Bundesliga outfit.

13-time Scotland international Burke has played for various clubs in England, but began his career at Nottingham Forest. He made the move to RB Leipzig for £13m in August 2016, but returned to England after just a year having joined West Brom for £15m.

He was the most expensive Scottish player for two consecutive summers, and later joined Celtic and Alaves on loan, having only made 24 appearances for the Baggies. Burke joined Sheffield United in 2020 in a swap deal for Callum Robinson, and made 36 appearances before departing Bramall Lane for Werder Bremen last summer.

Burke made 19 appearances for Bremen with two goals and an assist before he rejoined Millwall for a second spell.