Birmingham City have entered a crucial summer transfer window as manager Chris Davies seeks to propel his side into immediate Championship play-off contention following their League One title win.
Blues head into next season brimming with confidence after breaking the world record for the most points in a 46-game league campaign, with 111. The previous best in English professional football was 106 (Reading in 2005/06), so it was an extraordinary achievement.
You may think that Birmingham’s squad will already be in good enough nick to compete well upon their Championship return but chairman Tom Wagner is backing Davies with more investment this summer. There are several areas of the squad that can be improved, and, as brutal as it is, this will be the end of the road for some of those who helped Blues to promotion.
So, then, who could leave and who could be signed to improve the team at Davies’ disposal? Well, so much is still up in the air but we here at Birmingham World have taken a deep dive into the likeliest sales and signings at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. With that in mind, click through the pages to see how Birmingham’s squad could shape up for the 2025/26 season – as well as explanations for each and every player listed.

1. IN: James Beadle
Blues have agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Beadle on loan for next season, Birmingham World understands. The 20-year-old has spent the past 18 months at Sheffield Wednesday. | Getty Images

2. Ryan Allsop
The boyhood Bluenose will be delighted to have clinched the League One Golden Glove award last season but his starting XI spot is under threat with Beadle providing big competition. | Getty Images

3. Bradley Mayo
The Blues academy product could make a step into the first team next season if another goalkeeper is sold. Mayo has been developing nicely in the youth ranks. | Birmingham City Football Club

4. Ethan Laird
Fresh off the back of an excellent League One season, Laird will be eager to carry his momentum over into the Championship. There aren’t many players with better enthusiasm than ‘Lairdo’. | Getty Images