Carlos Vicente to join Birmingham City? Ajax transfer update emerges involving £17.3m-rated star | OneFootball

Birmingham City are leading the race to sign Alaves winger Carlos Vicente ahead of Dutch giants Ajax.

Birmingham City are looking to sign Alaves’ Carlos Vicente, with the attacker keen on joining the Championship side despite interest from Ajax.

The 26-year-old has impressed for the La Liga outfit over the past few years, which includes scoring four goals so far in the current campaign.

His form has attracted attention from across Europe, and it was claimed earlier this month that Blues were looking to sign Vicente in an effort to bolster their promotion ambitions heading into the latter stages of the campaign.

It has been an inconsistent season for Birmingham, who were widely expected to battle for consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League following last term's title-winning campaign but are currently positioned in 13th, five points shy of the top-six.

Birmingham City leading transfer race for Ajax target Carlos Vicente

Any potential move for Vincente was complicated by interest from Dutch giants Ajax, who are desperately looking to strengthen following a disappointing season of their own.

Yet, in a development that will please all connected to Birmingham, journalist Anthony Joseph has now revealed that the player is open to moving to England ahead of going to Amsterdam.

Joseph reported via X that, despite competition from the Dutch giants, the wide-man is said to prefer a move to Chris Davies' side, with an approach having been made for his sought-after signature.

That’s not to say the deal is imminent, as Blues will still need to agree a fee with Alaves, as well as finalising personal terms with the winger ahead of the transfer deadline on February 2.

As previously reported by Spanish outlet AS, Alaves are holding out for the full amount of Vicente's €20 (£17.3) million, which could mark yet another costly yet ambitious and exciting capture from the Second City side as they pursue a top-flight return.

Carlos Vicente would be another transfer coup for Birmingham City

Even though Ajax are highly unlikely to win the Eredivisie this season, the fact Vicente would seemingly prefer to join Birmingham shows just how attractive the project is at St. Andrew’s.

We all know how much money the US owners have put into the club over the past few years, and this window shows they are determined to take that next step to the Premier League.

Securing Jhon Solis and August Priske were real statement signings, and if they can bring Vicente to the club, it would be another deal that makes rivals take notice.

Despite the quality in the squad, Birmingham could do with more talent out wide, and Vicente is the profile that Chris Davies will want down the flank as he can beat his man, he is capable on the ball, and he contributes in the final third.

Of course, he may need time to adapt to English football, as it will be the first time he has played in the country, but Vicente would arrive with real pedigree when you consider he is playing in La Liga right now.

So, this is very exciting for Birmingham, and if they do beat Ajax to Vicente’s signature, it would be a fantastic bit of business as they look to secure a play-off place this season.