Birmingham City backed for beating Ajax in transfer race - 'here's a whack of money, come to us' | OneFootball

Carlos Vicente has been heavily linked with Blues and the Dutch giants in recent days

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have been backed to secure the services of Deportivo Alaves' star winger, Carlos Vicente, despite well-documented competition from Dutch and European giants, Ajax.

Blues have not been afraid to showcase their ambition in the transfer market under the ownership of Tom Wagner, who has, once again, provided manager Chris Davies with the tools required in order to oversee a squad reshuffle in the current winter transfer window.

Davies recruited 14 new signings after his side romped to the League One title last season, albeit it is fair to say that there has been a clear difference in how successful some of those deals have worked out thus far in comparison to others.

After an inconsistent return to the Championship, it had been well-documented that Birmingham would have to endure a successful transfer window in order to continue vying for a play-off place in what remains an extremely congested region of the table just outside the top six.

Despite enjoying a recent upsurge in form, which included three wins in four matches across all competitions, Blues were unable to record back-to-back Championship victories for the first time since November on Saturday afternoon against Stoke City at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

The 1-1 draw against the Potters currently sees Blues seven places and five points behind Wrexham with 17 league games remaining. However, a clear positive from the weekend is that the West Midlands club are now reportedly the front-runners when it comes to striking a deal with Alaves for their prized asset.

Despite previously being unsure of a deal for Vicente, it has emerged that the price which Birmingham are set to pay the La Liga side for the 10-goal winger's services is far less than the fee which Alaves were reportedly holding out for, which has pleased Football League World's Blues fan pundit, Jason Moore.

Fresh reaction given as Birmingham City set to fend off Ajax in transfer race for Deportivo Alaves' £17.3m-rated winger Carlos Vicente

Vicente was one of several players linked with a potential switch to the Second City across the summer transfer window, although a deal would never come to fruition at that particular point.

Despite not being able to strike a deal for the 26-year-old, Davies would add further depth and quality in wide areas with a free transfer for one-time Premier League winner and former Blues academy graduate, Demarai Gray, as well as the loan signings of Lewis Koumas and Patrick Roberts from Liverpool and Sunderland respectively.

Gray and Roberts have both been key performers for Birmingham so far this season, albeit the former is currently sidelined until next month after sustaining a calf issue on Boxing Day versus Derby County.

It has been widely reported that Blues are working on a permanent deal for Roberts, whilst the recent loan capture of Ibrahim Osman from Brighton and Hove Albion and the expected signing of Vicente has seen Koumas recalled by Merseyside outfit.

As such, after it was revealed that the Championship side had "made contact" with Alaves over the potential signing of Vicente, it was reported that the Spanish side would only deem a €20m (£17.3m) offer sufficient due to a valuation in his contract.

However, after Tom Wagner revealed on Saturday that his next signing would be a Spanish-speaking player, it was reported by Sky Sports that Blues had emerged as front-runners ahead of Ajax. Reports in Spain also subsequently state that Vicente will sign a three-and-a-half year contract at St. Andrew's as an €8m (£6.9m) nears completion.

As such, Moore hopes that the Zaragoza native can hit the ground running if he does sign.

"I'm very much looking forward to him coming, if he actually does," he told FLW.

"In terms of pull, I think we've offered him a ton of money, if I'm honest.

"As bad as Ajax have been (this season), they're still one of the greatest clubs in Europe and they'll still get Champions League football," Moore admitted.

"Maybe we've done the 'cliche' and shown him the 'project' and he's been lured into it," he debated. "But, I think we've just gone to him, 'here's a whack of money, come to us,' as we've been chasing him for so long.

"I don't care as it's not my money, as long as we don't get taken for mugs.

"Hopefully he can hit the ground running if he does come, because a pacey right winger is what we've been after.

"I love Patrick Roberts, but there are times when you just need someone a bit quicker than him.

"Hopefully he comes and can hit the ground running and do a good job for us."

Carlos Vicente would be another statement of Birmingham City's ambition

The acquisition of Vicente ahead of a club such as Ajax would, once again, emphasise the pulling power which Blues are able to currently generate as a result of their future ambitions.

It is clear that Alaves were reluctant to strike a deal, and it will only satisfy Birmingham supporters more that they appear to have dragged the fee significantly down whilst also fending off Ajax's own pursuit.

Despite the speculation, Vicente's performances have failed to be impacted, as he scored on Sunday in Alaves' 2-1 home success over Real Betis to help Eduardo Coudet's side climb out of the relegation zone with his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.

As such, there will be hope that he can settle in at St. Andrew's immediately and help Davies' side reach the play-offs in what remains of the campaign, as the current gap between Birmingham and the top six is far from insurmountable if a strong run of momentum can be generated.