The latest transfer news as Birmingham City and Sunderland chase the same midfield target.
Birmingham City have reportedly joined the race to sign Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze but face competition from two clubs in the Premier League.
Blues, despite winning the League One title in world-record-breaking fashion, are eager to improve their squad in most areas ahead of next season. Chris Davies’ side are determined to hit the ground running in the Championship, with an immediate top-six finish being eyed to offer a shot at promotion to the top flight.
Midfield was one of Birmingham’s strongest areas last campaign as Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho formed a formidable partnership, but no position is exempt from the club’s desire to improve wherever possible. In this case, there’s a midfielder who Blues are now reportedly trying to sign.
Birmingham challenge Sunderland to midfielder signing
In a move that could immediately weaken one of their Championship rivals, Birmingham are reportedly interested in signing Watford’s Chakvetadze, as per our sister publication, the Sunderland Echo. Burnley are said to be favourites to land the midfielder and Sunderland are also in the race but Blues are ambitiously trying to brush off the two Premier League sides.
Chakvetadze, a 37-time Georgia international, has attracted widespread transfer interest following a successful Euro 2024 and an impressive 2024/25 season in the Championship. The 25-year-old played 39 times for Watford in the second tier last term, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
Comfortable in central midfield or operating from either flank, the creative playmaker is known for his distinctive on-pitch style, regularly turning out with his socks rolled down to his ankles. Chakvetadze has enjoyed his time at Watford since joining from Gent in February 2024 but the report from the Sunderland Echo suggests he’d be open to leaving Vicarage Road for a better opportunity elsewhere.
Burnley and Sunderland are of course alluring destinations due to their Premier League status but it’s claimed that Chakvetadze would consider another Championship move if the club was ambitious enough. Birmingham, aiming to be in the top flight within the next couple of seasons, certainly fit that bill.
How would Chakvetadze fit in at Birmingham?
It would be very difficult to displace Iwata or Paik in Blues’ midfield but Chakvetadze is a top talent and would be hoping for guaranteed starts if he were to reject Burnley and Sunderland for a move to St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. Chakvetadze could theoretically play as the number 10, though that would likely mean benching one of Willum Willumsson or Keshi Anderson.
These are the sorts of dilemmas that head coach Davies will love, as it means he has the necessary depth to compete with the best in the division. Phil Neumann is the only signing so far this window but many more are expected to arrive through the doors and Chakvetadze could feasibly be one of those.
It awaits to be seen just how much Watford would need to be offered to sell their number eight but his current market value, as per Transfermarkt, is around £4 million. Would you like to see Blues sign Chakvetadze for that price? Let us know in the comments below.
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