West Brom ‘show interest’ in striker as £2.5m bid rejected and ‘shocked’ claim made on Birmingham City target

The season is already over for West Brom and Birmingham City and all that remains to be decided is which clubs will be joining them in the Championship next season.

Southampton are coming down from the Premier League along with two of Leicester City, Leeds United and Everton while Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town will be joined by Barnsley or Sheffield Wednesday who face each other in the play-off final. Meanwhile, the summer transfer window is almost upon us and the clubs who have already finished their season have a head start on their recruitment.

West Brom are being heavily linked with a move for a striker who scored 14 goals in the Championship last season but there will be plenty of competition for his signature. Elsewhere, a journalist covering Derby County has given an update on Krystian Bielik’s future after the Polish international spent last season on loan at the Blues. Here are the latest West Brom and Birmingham City transfer news headlines on Monday, May 22:

West Brom ‘show interest’ in striker as £2.5m bid rejected

According to a report from The Sun, several clubs including West Brom are interested in signing Blackpool striker Jerry Yates this summer. The 26-year old scored 14 goals in the Championship next season but couldn’t save the Seasiders from relegation.

Play-off finalists Luton Town and Coventry City are said to be ‘battling’ for the player’s signature while the Baggies also face competition from Bristol City and newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The report claims that Blackpool have already knocked back a bid of £2.5 million from an unnamed club and are seeking a fee closer to £4 milion.

Journalist makes ‘shocked’ claim on Birmingham City loanee

With Jobe Bellingham reportedly close to completing a £4 million move to Championship rivals Sunderland, it is expected that Birmingham City will look to complete a permanent deal for midfielder Krystian Bielik who spent last season on loan at the Blues from Derby County.

After the Rams failed to gain promotion from League One it has been claimed that the Polish international almost certainly will not remain with them much longer. Leigh Curtis, who covers the club for DerbyshireLive, has said: “Frustratingly, Bielik’s career just hasn’t taken off at Derby not helped by the injuries he sustained. I would be shocked if he is still here come the start of the season.”