Blues are eyeing up Bristol City midfielder Max Bird.
The 25-year-old could be the ideal solution to bolster Blues options in the engine room.
With Taylor Gardner-Hickman out for months due to a hamstring tear and Marc Leonard (Achilles tendon) another long-term casualty, Blues are thin on the ground in the middle of the park.
Paik Seung-ho has been managing a shoulder issue and only returned to the fray last Saturday at Swansea City after an unspecified injury.
Left-footed, Bird is recognised as a versatile, creative central midfield player who can get up and down and link play with intelligence. He can also adapt in the 10 role if required.
Born in Burton-upon-Trent, Bird was actually in Blues Academy as a nipper before moving to Derby County when he was 10.
He progressed through the ranks at the Rams, debuting at 16, and became a firm favourite.
He was transferred to Bristol City in January 2024 and promptly loaned back to Derby to help them gain promotion from League One as runners-up.
His final game in the April was his 200th for the club, when he scored the first goal in a victory over Carlisle United that clinched a return to the Championship.
Bird established himself as a key player for Bristol and whilst he only managed 18 appearances last season due to injury, he was an ever present in the Championship in 2025/25.
Blues have long kept tabs on Bird and have been linked to him previously. He has a year left on his contract.
