Birmingham City ‘nearing’ third signing as two West Brom transfers ‘on brink’ of completion

Birmingham City are reportedly closing in on the permanent signing of Derby County midfielder Krystian Bielik following a successful season-long loan spell.

Blues have already confirmed the additions of forward Tyler Roberts from Leeds United and winger Koji Miyoshi from Royal Antwerp but the transfer activity won’t stop there.

The Telegraph claims discussions have already taken place between Blues and the Rams over Bielik, with a £1 million fee said to be enough to strike a deal for the former Arsenal man.

Considering his current market value – as perTransfermarkt – is around €2.8 million (£2.39 million), such an agreement would be a bargain for Birmingham.

The Poland international, who featured at the World Cup in Qatar last winter, played an impressive 35 times for John Eustace’s side throughout the 2022/23 season.

Blues didn’t look the same without him as he was a key member of the team. His 6.77 average WhoScored rating was also the second-highest out of anyone in the squad to have played over 2,000 minutes.

Breaking up the play is certainly Bielik’s forte and getting him on a permanent basis could be vital. He would no doubt play a big part as Birmingham look to progress under new ownership.

Meanwhile, two West Brom sales ‘on the brink’

In other West Midlands transfer news, Birmingham’s local rivals West Bromwich Albion are said to be close to losing two key players on permanent transfers.

According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Albion captain Dara O’Shea is set to depart for newly-promoted Premier League outfit Burnley for around £7 million.

The Ireland international has already completed his medical at Turf Moor and will “very soon” be welcomed by Vincent Kompany as a new centre half for the Clarets.

Elsewhere, Leeds United have advanced their interest in Baggies midfielder Jayson Molumby by “discussing a potential fee with West Brom” in the region of £4 million.

This is according to a report in The Sun that claims Molumby, who enjoyed some scintillating goalscoring form at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, will follow O’Shea out of The Hawthorns’ exit door.

Losing both Irishmen would leave West Brom in a difficult situation as they were key men under Carlos Corberan last term. This news adds further to the seemingly never-ending Albion uncertainty.