Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Birmingham City are expected to strengthen once again this summer as they close in on promotion to the Championship
Birmingham City are in pole position to win the League One title and secure an immediate return back to the Championship under their ambitious owners after a surprise relegation from the second tier last season.
The Blues have been the standout team in the division and are now just five wins away from securing automatic promotion after Wrexham’s recent slip-up against Reading in mid-week.
Hide Ad
Manager Chris Davies told the Gazette & Heraldhe will not consider promotion until it’s “mathematically done and dusted” but most football experts are already thinking ahead with great intrigue about what the Blues might look to do in the summer as they take steps towards competing in the Premier League once again for the first time since 2011.
Last summer, the Blues made plenty of headlines with a League One record £10m move for Jay Stansfield, who has so far lived up to the hype with 21 goals in 34 games across all competitions.
Many are expecting Birmingham to spend big on new recruits once again this summer but there are also a number of high-profile stars that could be tempted to move to St Andrew’s on a free in the transfer window as they approach the final few months of their contract.
With that in mind, we take a look at some of the best out-of-contract stars that Birmingham could look to target this summer through their ambitious owners and their immense pulling power.
Hide Ad
Free agent goalkeepers
Freddie Woodman - Preston North End: Former Newcastle United academy graduate Freddie Woodman is yet to sign a new contract at Preston and is approaching the final few months of his contract at Deepdale. The 28-year-old, who won the Championship Golden Glove with Swansea in 2020/21 and Preston’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 has kept 13 clean sheets in 36 appearances this term.
Angus Gunn - Norwich City: Manchester City academy graduate Angus Gunn is yet to agree a new contract with Norwich City and could be on the move this summer after four seasons at Carrow Road. The 29-year-old played at Euro 2024 and has 15 caps for the Scotland national team.
Fraser Forster - Tottenham: Newcastle academy graduate Fraser Forster is approaching the twilight years of his career at 36 but can still offer vast experience from spells at Celtic, Norwich and Southampton.
Free agent defenders
Jimmy Dunne - QPR: Jimmy Dunne has been a massive player for QPR in recent seasons and has a habit of popping up with goals after finding the net five times this season. He’s been a great servant at Loftus Road since signing in 2021 and is the calibre of player that could help the Blues make the jump up to the next level if he doesn’t extend his deal.
Hide Ad
Dominic Hyam - Blackburn: The 29-year-old has five seasons of Championship experience in his locker and is approaching the end of his contract at Ewood Park. He was a regular starter at Blackburn under ex-Blues boss John Eustance and remains a key player in the club’s play-off push.
Semi Ajayi - West Brom: A transfer that would no doubt divide opinion, experienced defender Semi Ajayi has starred for rivals West Brom since 2019 but is yet to sign a contract extension after a frustrating injury-hit campaign.
Jamaal Lascelles - Newcastle United: Former Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has experience of winning this league in 2017 and is approaching the final few months of his stay at St James’ Park. He is yet to play this season and is still recovering from an ACL injury but could prove a huge coup next season if he returns to full fitness.
Jamal Lewis - Newcastle United: Another former winner of the Championship, Jamal Lewis has not featured for Newcastle since the 2021/22 season and is clearly surplus to requirements in the North East. However, the Northern Ireland international is proven in this division from his time at Norwich City and more recently Watford.
Hide Ad
Free agent midfielders
John Swift - West Brom:Birmingham World reportedlast month that the Blues were plotting a shock move to prise John Swift away from West Brom when his contract expires. The former Reading and Brentford playmaker, who has played over 100 games for the Baggies since 2022, is in the final months of his contract at the Hawthorns and faces an uncertain future in the West Midlands after struggling for regular gametime under returning boss Tony Mowbray, though he did find the net recently against Burnley.
Jonjo Shelvey - Burnley: Ex-England international Jonjo Shelvey joined Burnley on a short-term deal to regain form and fitness after a difficult end to his time in Turkey. The former Newcastle man won this division with the Magpies in 2017 and is blessed with excellent passing range which could suit the pace of Jay Stansfield running in behind.
Billy Mitchell - Millwall: 23-year-old Billy Mitchell is a tough-tackling central midfielder with more than 140 appearances at this level. He is yet to sign an extension at The Den and could be seeking a new challenge this summer.
Free agent forwards
Nathan Redmond - Burnley: Former Blues academy graduate Nathan Redmond has long been linked with a return to his boyhood club. The one-time England international starred for Southampton and Norwich in the top-flight but has struggled for football at Turf Moor this term and is not thought to be a part of Scott Parker’s plans.
Hide Ad
Rhian Brewster - Sheffield United: The former Liverpool prodigy has struggled to live up to the hype expected of him at Sheffield United and is approaching the final months of his contract at Bramall Lane. The striker, who won the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup while winning the Golden Boot, could unlock his potential under new surroundings.
Tyrhys Dolan - Blackburn: Tyrhys Dolan has shown promise at Blackburn with four goals and five assists this term and has been key to the club’s improvements this year. However, he only has a few months remaining on his contract and could seek a new challenge.
Lawrence Shankland - Hearts: Scottish international Lawrence Shankland is expected to leave Hearts on a free transfer at the end of the season. The 29-year-old fired in an emphatic 48 goals across his first two seasons in Scotland and won the Golden Boot last term but has been deployed in a deeper role this season, scoring just four but providing six assists.
Onel Hernández - Norwich City: Cuban Onel Hernandez had a brief loan spell with the Blues in 2022 and did a steady job in helping the team avoid relegation in the wing-back role. He has played 20 times for the Canaries this term but faces an uncertain future.
Read more: Birmingham City set for monumental Wembley turnout as Vertu Trophy final ticket allocation increased