Chris Davies drops fresh Birmingham City transfer update as 7pm deadline looms | OneFootball

The Birmingham City boss has stated that his side is keen to add to one position before the window shuts

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has projected a rather quiet transfer deadline day at St Andrew's, with a centre-back addition likely the only incoming of the day.

The Blues have done the majority of their business already, with five players through the door, including Carlos Vicente, August Priske and Kai Wagner on permanent deals.

However, according to a report from Birmingham Live, the Blues are still looking to target a new centre-back to help bolster their defensive ranks, and it seems that Rio Ave's Jonathan Panzo may be their target.

With Dion Sanderson's loan move to Derby County becoming permanent at the start of the window, and Eiran Cashin being relocated by Brighton to fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham are lighter at the back now than they were at the start of the month.

So, some extra cover is needed, and Chris Davies is hopeful that the deal can be completed by the time the window closes at 7pm.

Quiet deadline day expected at Birmingham City as priority revealed

Given the pomp and circumstance surrounding Birmingham in the transfer market over the last season and a half, there'll be some people surprised that the Blues aren't readying a blockbuster move in the final hours of the winter transfer window. As it stands, though, they don't really need to.

Chris Davies' side has been bolstered significantly throughout the month, and there'll likely be more departures than arrivals from the St Andrew's-based side on deadline day.

"I don't think we'll be too busy," Davies said when asked about deadline day business, according to Birmingham Live. "There's probably one or two that will look to move on.

"It becomes quite unpredictable at this stage because you never know what is going to take place.

"Obviously, we have been looking to strengthen in the central defensive area because we are a little short. That's all I can foresee happening."

Currently, there are just three senior centre-backs at St Andrew's, with Birmingham yet to replace Brighton loanee Cashin, who was recalled from his spell after being predominantly on the fringes of action.

While a replacement would likely just resume Cashin's role, one injury to the remaining crop of Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann, or Jack Robinson would then at least ensure that there's adequate depth still in the squad.

Jonathan Panzo looks to be Birmingham City's man on deadline day

With once-linked Jamaal Lascelles close to signing for Championship rivals, Leicester City, it looks like Birmingham are pivoting to Rio Ave centre-back Jonathan Panzo.

Portuguese outlet Cabine Desportiva has reported that the 25-year-old, who has played in the Championship with Nottingham Forest, Coventry City and Cardiff City in the past, has already travelled to England ahead of a proposed switch.

And, if Chris Davies is to be believed, that will likely conclude the business at St Andrew's this deadline day.

Birmingham Live has reported that there may be some final-hour movements with Kyogo Furuhashi, with the piece calling his future "unpredictable," and perhaps if the now fourth-choice frontman does depart, a replacement may be in line.

However, the likelihood remains that the Blues are content with just adding a new centre-back and trimming the side elsewhere.

Birmingham is one of many Championship sides with aspirations of crashing into the top six come May. Despite sitting in the bottom half currently, the Blues are just five points off the play-offs.

The squad has improved over the month, and the Blues are in a good position with the imminent arrival of Panzo to really make a fist of climbing above fellow former League One side Wrexham into the play-offs.