Exclusive: Birmingham City close to signing German striker | OneFootball

Birmingham City are closing in on the signing of Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch, FLW understands.

Birmingham City are closing in on Werder Bremen’s Marvin Ducksch, Football League World has exclusively been informed.

Blues are enjoying a very impressive summer of recruitment so far, with no less than nine new arrivals already signing on the dotted line at St Andrew's.

The additions of Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray and Tommy Doyle respectively highlight the burning ambition they have to make it back-to-back promotions next season, after Chris Davies' side stormed to the League One title last term.

Brum are sure to be working the phones and looking to bolster their squad throughout the window, and they may well be about to make yet another real statement signing.

Birmingham City closing in on Werder Bremen's Marvin Ducksch

Football League World has exclusively been informed that Birmingham City are closing in on the signing of Werder Bremen striker, Marvin Ducksch, who has been linked with a move to the club this week.

The big target man is wanted to spearhead the club’s Championship push next season, and negotiations are now well down the line with his Bundesliga club.

Ducksch, 31, has other suitors - Greek outfit PAOK Salonika are one - but the ambitious Second City club have identified the 6'2" tall forward as the man they want to spearhead a promotion push from the second tier.

The former German international has 12 months to go on his existing deal with the green and whites, and they are demanding a fee.

However, Birmingham do have some wriggle room in that respect, having kept transfer fees to a minimum while chasing down their targets so far this summer.

While Profit and Sustainability (PSR) issues do exist, it is understood that there is some leeway in the market to spend, and Ducksch certainly fits the bill as Davies chases upgrades throughout his frontline.

Ducksch has recently suffered a calf injury during the early stages of pre-season this month, and does appear to face a race against time to be fit for the start of the EFL season should he make the move to Birmingham.

Ducksch could be a superb player at Championship level - and a very capable Alfie May replacement

Brum have already shown their ruthless streak when it comes to doing business this summer.

Striker Alfie May was brought in 12 months ago - playing a key role in Blues’ elevation from League One, but he was shipped out to Huddersfield Town this week - a deal which Football League World exclusively revealed was happening - with the club banking a profit following his move from Charlton Athletic.

The response from Birmingham fans was one of disappointment that May had been sacrificed, but with the likes of Gray and Furuhashi arriving at the club, Davies needed to both balance the books and make room in his squad.

Ducksch has scored 34 goals and weighed in with 25 assists during the past three seasons in the Bundesliga with Bremen, who have returned to a mid-table placing with his help.

But his arrival will cast doubt over the future of Lyndon Dykes.

The Scotland international arrived 12 months ago but Ducksch, who was capped twice for Die Mannschaft during Julian Nagelsmann’s time at the club, appears to be an upgrade on the ex-QPR forward.