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.
5. IN: Alfons Sampsted
Confirmed to be signing permanently from FC Twente after his loan, Sampsted will provide decent depth at right-back. | Getty Images
6. IN: Taylor Gardner-Hickman
Just like Sampsted, Gardner-Hickman has been signed for the long term after his successful loan. Capable of playing at right-back, in midfield or as a winger, he can be considered the versatility king. | Getty Images
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7. Christoph Klarer
One of Blues’ very best in 2024/25, Klarer is an absolute unit at the back. Birmingham World once asked him if he’d head a brick for this team and he rather unsurprisingly said yes! | Getty Images
8. Krystian Bielik
The actual skipper, Bielik has had to sit out of most matches since before the turn of the year due to the form of those in front of him in the pecking order. He’s remained professional throughout, though. | Getty Images