Birmingham City 'battling' Championship rivals to sign 'excellent dribbler'

Birmingham City have reportedly joined Leeds United in the race to sign highly-rated Liverpool youngster Mateusz Musialowski.

The Poland Under-21 international is yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds but he has seriously impressed at youth level, scoring 30 goals and assisting a further six in 80 appearances across various competitions. Even despite displaying his quality consistently ever since joining in 2020, Musialowski's contract expires this June, with no reports of an extension.

This allows other clubs, including Birmingham, to approach the player directly and pitch a pre-contract agreement. Daily Mail reports Musialowski, who can play on either flank or in attacking midfield, has been named as a target for Blues as Tony Mowbray tries to make clever, cut-price additions to his squad. No contact is said to have been made just yet but that could follow very soon as the interest is genuine.

Leeds are also firmly in the picture, however, as Football Insider reports Daniel Farke's side have registered their interest alongside "several" other clubs. Elland Road is of course a more attractive option for Musialowski at first glance as Leeds are in the promotion fight, but Birmingham would likely offer more game time. It's a tricky one to weigh up.

What is certain is that Musialowski has caught the eye of Liverpool's staff, with coach Barry Lewtas particularly impressed. "He’s been brilliant. This season, in terms of his level of consistency, without question it has risen," Lewtas said via Daily Mail. "Defensively he’s strong and buying in. No one can doubt his ability to dribble the ball, he can dribble past most, but he is finding a real consistency in his game," Lewtas continued.