Birmingham City and Wrexham dealt huge Ipswich Town transfer blow | OneFootball

Birmingham City and Wrexham could be set to miss out on Ipswich Town star Anis Mehmeti after his stance on a potential Portman Road exit was revealed.

Birmingham City and Wrexham are reportedly set to miss out on a deal for Ipswich Town attacker Anis Mehmeti.

That's according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who claims that Mehmeti is reluctant to leave Ipswich before the end of the transfer window, despite interest from Birmingham and Wrexham.

Birmingham City and Wrexham targeting ambitious Anis Mehmeti, Ipswich Town raid

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Birmingham and Wrexham have followed similar trajectories in recent years, winning automatic promotion from League One together in the 2024-25 campaign before missing out on the play-offs in the Championship last season, while the star-studded American ownership of both clubs has made plenty of headlines.

The pair locked horns on the pitch on Friday night, with Phil Neumann's double securing a 2-1 win for the Blues at the SToK Cae Ras to get their season up and running and leave the Red Dragons still searching for their first victory, and they are also doing battle in the transfer market.

Birmingham and Wrexham are both said to be keen to sign Mehmeti before Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline, and they are not the only Championship clubs chasing the Ipswich man, with Derby County also believed to be plotting a late move.

The Tractor Boys are reportedly demanding as much as £9 million if they are to sell Mehmeti, but while that may not be an issue for the Blues and the Red Dragons given their vast financial resources, the duo are facing a fresh stumbling block in their pursuit of the Albania international.

Anis Mehmeti stance on Ipswich Town exit revealed as Birmingham City and Wrexham circle

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After a strong spell with Wycombe Wanderers in League One, Mehmeti made the move to Championship side Bristol City in January 2023, and he scored 26 goals and provided nine assists in 136 appearances for the Robins during his three-year stint at Ashton Gate.

Mehmeti joined Ipswich in January for a cut-price fee of just £3 million, with his price reduced significantly due to the fact he had entered the final six months of his contract, and he helped the Tractor Boys win automatic promotion to the Premier League last season.

However, after Gary O'Neil replaced Kieran McKenna as Ipswich manager, and with high-profile attacking additions such as Julio Enciso and Daizen Maeda arriving this summer, Mehmeti has fallen down the pecking order at Portman Road.

Mehmeti was not included in the squad for the Tractor Boys' opening day victory over Sunderland last weekend, with O'Neil describing the decision to leave the 25-year-old out as "a real tough call", and he insisted that he will still "have moments where he helps us".

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Birmingham had made a bid for Mehmeti and were optimistic of agreeing a deal, with Wrexham and Derby also chasing his signature, but O'Rourke claims that he is keen to stay at Ipswich and fight for his place.

Birmingham City and Wrexham will be frustrated by Anis Mehmeti, Ipswich Town update

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Having worked his way up from non-league to the Premier League within six years, it is understandable that Mehmeti wants to make the most of his opportunity in the top flight, even if his minutes may be limited at Ipswich this season.

Mehmeti was one of the most exciting attackers in the Championship during his time at Bristol City, while he made some important contributions for the Tractor Boys last season in their promotion-winning campaign, so it is no surprise that he has been on the radar of a number of second tier clubs this summer.

However, while the situation could change over the coming days if Ipswich's £9 million valuation is met, Mehmeti's decision to remain at Portman Road will be hugely disappointing for Birmingham and Wrexham, who would likely have seen him as a key addition in their pursuit of promotion.