As another week goes by, we edge closer to Blues’ opening weekend fixture away at Portman Road. However the playing squad could have a completely different look and feel come 3pm Saturday August 5th.
With that in mind, and with it being a slightly quieter week, we have decided to look at some of the potential transfers that Harry has (or hasn’t) got lined up to join the boys in Royal Blue.
Lois Diony
The first name on the list, Lois Diony, is one player that will not be joining up with the squad. As the supposed Blues target joined AS Saint-Etienne for a figure (reportedly) around the £8.7m mark.
Even with Blues’ new financial backing, it would seem that a move of this financial outlay was always seemingly out of reach, backed up with Redknapp saying on several occasions that large sums will not be spent on single players.
🔥 [OFFICIEL] @LoisDiony9 a signé et rejoint l'#ASSE ! #BienvenueLoïs ➡️ https://t.co/vB6iMWeI7w pic.twitter.com/H4OcjvQP8T
— AS Saint-Étienne (@ASSEofficiel) July 7, 2017
Benjamin Moukandjo
Carrying on from within the French Leagues, it would seem that Blues have had an enquiry rebuffed for Lorient striker Benjamin Moukandjo. The Cameroonian Striker (and Captain) bagged a respectable 13 goals in the French top division, though his goals were unable to stop his current employers, FC Nantes, from the drop into the second division.
https://t.co/Vmdix0M67F#FCLorient
— Micka#FCL⚽ (@MickaelDamez) July 7, 2017
Moukando, 28, could have been one of the players Harry sought after during his recent visit across the Channel. A trip that, so far, hasn’t produced anything tangible.
Alexander Djiku
Staying in France, another player who Harry is rumoured to be interested in is Alexander Djiku of financially stricken club SC Bastia. The dire financial situation that Bastia find themselves in means that the club has to find funds fast, a situation we know all too well. It’s rumoured that Blues could pick up the 22 year old French right back for a cut-price deal.
Jordan Hugill
It’s not just abroad that Harry is looking to make improvements to his squad, he’s also been looking up North too.
Jordan Hugill is another in the long list of strikers that have been heavily linked with a move to the West Midlands. The 25 year old Middlesbrough born player was subject to bids from Ipswich last summer of £1.5m and then £2m in January – since then he has signed a contract extension to 2019.
The figure rumoured to be commanded by Preston to secure the ex-Port Vale striker’s services, who netted 13 goals last year, would be in the region of £3.5m.
He is another player who has been linked with Blues that achieved a higher goal tally than any other player in the squad – Lukas Jutkiewicz with 11 goals is is the nearest any Blues player has got.
Ravel Morrison back at Blues
Perhaps it wasn’t the strikers to blame for a poor season in front of goal, perhaps it was the painfully obvious lack of any real creative talent in the middle of the park. Harry, it seems may have found his man to resolve the issue, by taking Ravel Morrison on trial from SS Lazio, as we exclusively revealed on Monday.
Once described as ‘the best talent since Paul Scholes’ to come out of the Man Utd academy by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson. More recently, a slightly less celebrated, Lee Clark believes that with the right attitude he could become as good as Paul Pogba… It is worth mentioning that Clark is credited for Morrisons best season.
On his day, there is no better player in the English Championship. Morrison is technically gifted enough to be playing in the Premier League, as shown during his short time at West Ham… but fallings out and personal issues have since plagued him.
It is a smart deal by the Blues backroom to take him on a try-before-you-buy trial, to see if he can still live up to his huge potential and find his gifted feet in Birmingham.
Robbie Keane
Its no secret that Blues have struggled with goals, so why not go out and find a player who’s scored 83 goals in his last 125 games. A goal ratio works out better than 1 goal for every 2 games, which surely means he will score at least 23 goals in the Championship right?
Now, we know it doesn’t always work out that way but you don’t simply forget how to score goals, especially if you were that good at it in the first place. This potential move bares all the hallmarks of the second coming of Kevin Phillips, who’s 14 goals fired Blues back to the Premier League.
Robbie Keane represents a means to an end. He is not ideal in terms of age, or potential wages – but goals get you to the promised land and the former LA Galaxy man could provide them.
Mitchell Dijks
After snubbing Norwich City, Mitchell Dijks could be set for Birmingham City move. #NCFC #BCFC https://t.co/85DapPx2qT pic.twitter.com/7wJvIfwrfg
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) June 26, 2017
The Ajax left back spent last season on-loan in East Anglia and has received solid reviews.
Dijks has been a big hit with the Canaries since joining at the start of the year. His no-nonsense, physical style, allied to an ability to get forward, has made him an instant fans’ favourite.
Norwich agreed a fee for the player to join in the summer, but it has been revealed since that the player has opted not to return to the Canaries for 2017/18 campaign.
It has been widely reported that Blues will be set to offer £4m for the young Dutch left-back. It also adds further credence to the stories that Redknapp is set to play Keita further forward on the left hand flank.
Finally…
We just wanted to take a moment to pay our respects and send our thoughts, love and prayers to the family of Bradley Lowery. Bradley has been and always will be an inspiration to millions.
Rest in Peace Bradley.
