Birmingham City 'concern' raised amid Sheffield United battle for top-flight 'gem' | OneFootball

Romeo Amane is reportedly attracting interest from three Championship sides

Birmingham City's 2025/26 Championship campaign was one of extremely mixed fortunes, and now the pressure is on those inside the club to deliver, both on and off the pitch.

Under Knighthead Capital Management's investment, ambitions at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park have been clear for all to see, with Tom Wagner's initial goal being a return to the Premier League as soon as possible.

It has been 15 years since Blues were last one of the top-flight's 20 clubs, and many had expected them to mount an initial bid for back-to-back promotions under Chris Davies at the start of last season.

The 41-year-old had masterminded a record-breaking campaign - on multiple levels - in League One, but has since been the subject of sack calls at various points of the past 12 months, notably after Birmingham's aims of reaching the second tier's top six were all-but over heading into the final international break of March 2026.

The past 12 months have, in some ways, been a reminder that splashing the cash doesn't equate to success, with Coventry City and Hull City two of the sides achieving promotion to the Premier League - with the latter also operating under a two-window transfer fee restriction.

That said, Blues will be expected to go again, especially with the EFL's expansion of the Championship play-offs and new Squad Cost Rules, which could be of great benefit to the West Midlands outfit.

And, with the summer transfer window opening in the coming days, speculation is already rife.

Mixed Birmingham City reaction given to Sheffield United, Wrexham transfer battle for Rapid Wien midfielder Romeo Amane

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Indeed, several question marks were raised over Birmingham's midfield last season, and now there is a need for reinforcements after Tommy Doyle's somewhat underwhelming loan stint ended, and he is set to return to Wolves.

As such, it has been claimed that Davies' outfit, as well as divisional rivals, Sheffield United and Wrexham, are interested in a move for Rapid Wien's deep-lying Ivorian midfielder, Romeo Amane.

Amane signed for the Austrian side in January 2025 from Swedish outfit, BK Hacken, where he notched seven goals and assisted 10 in 98 appearances.

The 23-year-old's stock has also risen due to involvement in European competition, but despite Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, being encouraged by said links, he also issued a warning to Blues' recruitment team.

"I've always quite liked the idea of us approaching this market. I think you get some real gems," he told FLW.

"My only concern is that I want Championship experience this summer.

"If this guy's highly-rated, then great. Go and get him, because he could come and be absolutely fantastic," Moore reiterated. "I just want us to make sure that we sign Championship experience.

"It's great that we've got players who had that experience last season, but we severely lacked it last summer.

"I trust what the club want to do, because they've got a better understanding of who they want to sign," he added. "But, for me, I just want Championship experience.

"If this lad can come and do a job, I'm all for it, and I'll back whatever the club wants to do. But, first and foremost, I want Championship experience.

"If you can give me someone solid that's proven in this league over Amane, I'd rather go and sign them," Moore stated.

"But, at the same time, I will also back what the club want to do."

Birmingham City's Romeo Amane pursuit could be impacted by Jhon Solis news

While Amane's recent pedigree is one which will excite, fresh movement from Blues could impact a potential pursuit of the Ivorian.

That's because, according to Fabrizio Romano, the club have activated their option-to-buy of €7m for Colombian midfielder, Jhon Solis, who was initially loaned in from La Liga side, Girona FC, in January.

The 21-year-old made 18 appearances in all competitions and became a firm favourite through his energetic performances in the middle of the park, and was even a reported target for Brentford and Leeds United of the Premier League.

As such, this could offer encouragement to the Blades and Red Dragons, who are also looking to conduct crucial transfer windows in a bid for promotion under Chris Wilder and Phil Parkinson respectively.