The transfer window is open for business.
And Blues are going to make some waves.
We understand that a left-back could be on his way to St. Andrew’s as the first major incoming move – on a permanent deal.
Kai Wagner, of MLS side Philadelphia Union, is the man believed to be under consideration, for a fee of around £2 million.
The 28-year-old German is one of the top performers in America, having spent five seasons across the pond.
He is a three-time MLS All-Star and rumours have been rife for some time about a return to Europe.
Wagner began his career in the lower leagues in Germany before a breakthrough move to America from Würzburger Kickers in February, 2019.
Strengthening central defence, midfield and up front – the spine of the team – has also been identified for a number of weeks by Blues.
On New Year’s Eve, Blues announced that Dion Sanderson’s loan to Derby County has been made permanent.
That brings in funds to help the club’s plans to provide Chris Davies with the wherewithal to remodel what is in situ.
Blues have to be smart and active in this manner in order to stay within the boundaries of profit and sustainability regulations.
So other players could be on their way as well as centre-half Sanderson, with striker Lyndon Dykes a likely exit.
Some of the club’s loaned-in players – Eiran Cashin and Lewis Koumas notably – face uncertain futures.
Whilst Blues are in talks to make Patrick Roberts’ loan from Sunderland a permanent transfer.
Blues have been put into a bit of a spot due to injury to Alex Cochrane, who has been a redoubtable presence at left-back for Davies.
As Lee Buchanan has been recovering from a long-term knee injury, Blues have always sweated on Cochrane’s availability.
Now they have decided to bring in an established, frontline left-back to provide serious competition for the position – if not go straight into the side.
Wagner has made 253 appearances for Union, and scored 10 goals. He is known for chance creation through crosses – 54 assists all told in his Stateside career.
Union finished top of the Eastern Conference this season and had the best overall regular campaign record – winning the Supporters Shield. But they lost in the MLS Cup Conference play-off semi-finals.
Blues Austro-German contingent Christoph Klarer, Phil Nuemann and Marvin Ducksch all began following Wagner on Instagram in the last couple of days.
Chairman Tom Wagner, meanwhile, gave an interview to The Daily Telegraph outlining a number of stances on Blues current position/state of play and recruitment.
The Blues chief remains bullish and steadfast in his and owners Knighthead’s ambitions.
“I think we can do better. I think there’s some changes that we can make that will help improve the team’s performance on the pitch this season.
“I have the same expectations that I had at the start of the season, which is that we’ll be competitive throughout and ultimately work to achieve the goal of making the play-offs.
“That’s been our objective for the season from the start. As owners and board members we need to do everything we possibly can to improve the probability of making that happen.”
Many people have signposted a lack of direct comment about Davies and his future in the feature.
What has to be remembered is that the interview may have only been granted if there were not any questions about the manager.
And it also may have been conducted several days before the current string of results – with the chairman not wanting to pour any fuel on a fire he may have thought was not even smouldering.
However, if he was full square behind the manager regardless, would that have mattered?
As we understand, it is a case of Blues wanting to help the manager with squad strengthening and the processes in place, rather than axing and beginning a cycle of upheaval once more.
