The latest transfer news as Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan responds to Birmingham City transfer interest.
Birmingham City are on the hunt for another forward following the acquisition of Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch.
Blues are understood to be one attacking signing away from being fully content with their forward line for the new Championship season. Chris Davies now has Ducksch, Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi, Lyndon Dykes, Kanya Fujimoto, Keshi Anderson, Willum Willumsson and Demarai Gray as options across the front four, but one more addition would complete the puzzle.
There were strong links with former Arsenal and Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom earlier in the week but Ipswich Town, Birmingham’s first opponents of the season, are expected to sign him instead. Plenty more options have been - and are being - considered by Blues, including one player from local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Hwang responds to Birmingham interest
It appears Hwang won’t be making the short move down the road to St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, however, as the Daily Mail now reports the forward is ‘reluctant’ to drop down to the second tier. Blues showed an interest but were told Hwang isn’t willing to play in the Championship.
Nonetheless, Wolves could still part ways with Hwang as the striker is ‘allowed to leave’ Molineux this summer if the deal is right. Wanderers head coach Vitor Pereira utilised Hwang as a centre-forward last term when Jorgen Strand Larsen wasn’t fit, but he failed to impress and was unable to hit the heights of previous seasons.
Back in 2023/24, Hwang was prolific as he scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 29 Premier League appearances. The 29-year-old, who cost £14 million to sign from RB Leipzig three years ago following an initial loan, has contributed 24 goals and eight assists in 119 matches for Wolves.
Birmingham among Championship promotion favourites
Regardless of whether Blues sign another new forward or not, they are undoubtedly in a superb position. The ambition from everyone from owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady down to the players, coaching staff and supporters is to achieve a second successive promotion and it certainly looks possible.
At this point, with the season just getting underway, Birmingham are Sky Bet’s third favourites to seal promotion to the Premier League, whether that be via the automatic places or the play-offs. Only Ipswich and Southampton are predicted to fare better. That’s extraordinary considering Blues were a League One side merely a few months ago.
This campaign is an opportunity for Birmingham to make a real statement of intent. Last season’s world record-breaking League One title triumph was incredible but it would be an even stronger declaration of ambition if Blues were able to compete with the big dogs in the Championship. An exciting campaign awaits for all involved.
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