Birmingham City backed to sign Ipswich star over Portsmouth ace but 'only just' | OneFootball

Anis Mehmeti and Adrian Segecic have been heavily linked with a move to Blues

Birmingham City have been urged to still make Ipswich Town playmaker, Anis Mehmeti, their main transfer priority between now and Tuesday's 11PM deadline despite reported interest in Portsmouth star, Adrian Segecic.

It has been a frustrating summer for the Second City outfit, who would have had aspirations of building on their 10th-placed finish in last season's Championship under Chris Davies.

However, that hasn't proven to be the case in the opening month of the season, with the 41-year-old receiving plenty of calls for the sack already after a 6-1 humiliation by Premier League outfit, Brentford, in their EFL Cup tie at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

As such, Friday night's clash with Wrexham in North Wales is already being viewed as a must-win for Birmingham after tepid performances and draws against Sheffield United and Bristol City.

They were two occasions in which it has been evident that the Blues boss must add further attacking reinforcements between now and the summer transfer deadline of 11PM on Tuesday.

However, with Mehmeti and Segecic recently lighting up the stage at the likes of Bristol City, Ipswich and Portsmouth respectively, it was a tough call for Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, when asked which of the two deals he would prefer.

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Mehmeti has proven to be a high-class operator at this level for the Robins and Tractor Boys, helping the latter achieve a first-time promotion back to the Premier League under Kieran McKenna with two goals after a £3m switch from Ashton Gate in January.

But, despite being under contract until 2029, minutes are now far from guaranteed again under Gary O'Neil, and after reports suggested that Ipswich have set out a £9m valuation amid rival interest from Derby County and Wrexham, it has since been claimed that a bid has been lodged by Birmingham.

Moore has previously explained why Mehmeti would be an ideal fit for Davies' squad due to his versatility, and whilst also keen on Segecic, who scored a stunning free-kick against Lincoln City last time out, that stance has remained unchanged.

"That's a tough question as I really like Segecic," he said.

"Gun to my head, you're probably going to say Mehmeti. The fact he can play out wide and has experience in getting out of the league, it's probably him. But, that is only just.

"I really like Segecic. I don't think there's a massive difference between the two, but because Mehmeti can play out wide and in the '10', that's probably who you want," Moore stated.

"But, if we couldn't get Mehmeti and we end up with Segecic, I'd be more than happy with that."

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Although Birmingham would have to pay a hefty fee to secure Mehmeti's services, it does appear as though Ipswich are more willing to sanction a deal than Portsmouth are for the signature of Segecic, who scored 10 times last season despite making just 38 Championship appearances.

The South Coast side provided Sydney FC with a reported six-figure sum last summer, and John Mousinho has already spoken about the chances of a deal being completed, either with Birmingham or other potential suitors.

“Not as far as I’ve heard and we haven’t had a bid at all," said the Portsmouth boss when asked if any bids had come in for the Aussie playmaker.

“There’s not concrete interest, but I’m half expecting there to be some interest between now and the back end of the window."

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Regardless of who is added to Birmingham's attacking ranks between now and September 1st, it is imperative the club's creative issues are solved.

A lack of depth and pre-season injuries has meant that Paik Seung-ho has been utilised in an advanced role to feature alongside Carlos Vicente and Jay Stansfield, with many questioning why the club-record signing has been moved out to the left-wing position for the time being having previously struggled in said role on a handful of occasions.

As Moore alluded to, Mehmeti was crucial in Bristol City's run to the 2024/25 play-offs, and after continuing his fine form, played a bit-part role in Ipswich's promotion, but is likely to receive plenty of gametime this time around if he does move to the Midlands.