Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City & Norwich City should consider Hull transfer hijack | OneFootball

Hull City have emerged as strong contenders for Lewis Koumas' signature this January

Lewis Koumas has been recalled from his loan spell at Birmingham City, having struggled to make an impact in the Blues squad since his summer switch from Liverpool, with Hull City having emerged as frontrunners for his signature.

Birmingham City have confirmed that winger Lewis Koumas has been recalled by parent club Liverpool, with the Welsh international having failed to make the desired impact during his stint at St Andrew's.

Koumas had his first taste of consistent first-team football on loan at Stoke City in the Championship last season, scoring three and scoring twice in 43 league appearances for the Potters, and would join the Blues in the summer to continue his development.

However, Koumas started just seven of his 23 league appearances for Blues this season, and has promptly been recalled, with the expectation that he will once again be loaned out before the window closes, with Hull City emerging as early favourites for the Welshman's signature.

The additions of Ibrahim Osman on loan from Brighton and August Priske from Djurgarden have reinforced Chris Davies' side attack, whilst Deportivo Alaves' Carlos Vicente is expected to join imminently, leaving Koumas surplus to requirements.

The Liverpool Echo's Paul Gorst reported via X that Hull are closing in on a short-term move for Koumas this month, with Sergej Jakirovic's side more than in the hunt for a top six finish this campaign.

With the 20-year-old expected to head out on loan once more, FLW has looked at three clubs that should look to sign him ahead of Hull before the window shuts.

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers are in real danger of sleepwalking into a relegation battle if they are not careful.

The one-time Premier League champions find themselves in the drop zone after 28 games, with a resurgent Norwich City having condemned them to a place in the bottom three as things stand.

The Lancashire-based outfit are the third-lowest scorers in the division, with only Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth having scored fewer than their 26.

Both Andri Gudjohnsen and Yuki Ohashi sit on six league goals at this stage in the season, with finding the back of the net proving to be a real struggle this campaign.

Concerns over the sale of Makhtar Gueye were addressed by the addition of Bodo/Glimt forward Mathias Jorgensen, although his signing may not prove to be enough for the club.

Koumas could prove to be a good addition at Ewood Park, providing head coach Valerien Ismael with some much-needed depth and quality in forward areas.

Bristol City

Bristol City are once again in and around the play-off picture, though the sale of Anis Mehmeti to Ipswich Town will have, no doubt, come as a huge blow for the Robins.

Mehmeti had scored eight goals and grabbed six assists in 28 league games this season for Bristol City prior to his departure, being both their top scorer and top assister.

A huge void in the attack has therefore been left at Ashton Gate, which will not be easily filled.

Koumas, whilst certainly not yet of the same quality as Mehmeti, could prove to be a good option for Gerhard Struber's side, able to play off either flank if needed and adept at playing in a more central role if needed.

The Robins' chances of adequately replacing Mehmeti this month are highly doubtful, though Koumas could certainly plug the gap in the meantime.

Norwich City

Norwich City's chances of a top six finish this season are all but ruled out, with the Canaries embroiled in a battle at the bottom of the table as things stand.

However, the arrival of Philippe Clement in the dugout has seen the club's form and performances take a significant turn for the better, with Liam Manning's tenure going far from planned.

Canadian winger Ali Ahmed was the club's first addition this month, and has already netted his first league goal for the club in Norwich's 5-0 away win over West Brom, whilst Harry Amass has signed on loan from Manchester United.

Since Clement arrived in Norfolk, Tony Springett has been reintroduced into the squad, though there remain doubts over his long-term future at Championship level, whilst Matej Jurasek does not seem to be favoured by the Belgian.

The addition of someone like Koumas at Norwich, who can play anywhere along the front line, would add some much-needed depth and a short-term solution with the likes of Ante Crnac, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Papa Diallo spending prolonged periods out injured.

Clement has tended to prefer direct wingers during his tenure as a head coach, with the likes of Noa Lang, Andreas Skov Olsen, Krepin Diatta, and Takumi Minamino all having thrived under the Belgian, and Koumas could be the next to benefit from his coaching.