The latest on one of Birmingham City’s rumored transfer targets, as a 2023 summer acquisition is connected with a departure.
Birmingham City have learned how much it will cost to sign ES Troyes AC’s Ike Ugbo.
According to Alan Nixon, an EFL journalist for The Sun, Troyes want £4.5 million for Ugbo. He said that Sheffield Wednesday is attempting to reach an agreement with the French club on the price
Nixon stated that Ugbo’may not be enthusiastic’ on moving to League One. Stoke City are also interested in recruiting him, but the Owls are undoubtedly in the greatest position to do so, given he had a successful loan spell there last season and will want to build on what he started under Danny Rohl.
The 25-year-old scored seven goals in 19 games for Wednesday, inspiring them to survival. He played the first half of the season on loan at Cardiff, scoring four goals in 22 appearances. Last week, Wednesday head coach Rohl stated that Ugbo was a ‘crucial’ player but that other choices might be considered.
In other developments, Blackburn Rovers are allegedly interested in signing Siriki Dembele. According to Alan Nixon, John Eustace wants to reunite with Dembele after working with him at St Andrews.
The 27-year-old was recruited for an undisclosed cost last summer by Eustace, but his future may now be outside of the Midlands. After Eustace was fired, Dembele scored only four more goals.
He only scored a brace against Blackburn, an assist against Cardiff, and a goal against Swansea City while playing for Wayne Rooney, Tony Mowbray, and Gary Rowett. He made 37 appearances, 25 of which were starts, and finished with six goals and one assist.
Dembele is under contract for another two years, so if Blackburn is serious about signing him, it will cost them money. Alan Nixon said that Blackburn might use the proceeds from the prospective sale of Sammie Szmodics to Ipswich Town to cover the transaction.
