Exclusive: Birmingham City praised for beating Sheffield United to "super signing" from Liverpool | OneFootball

A number of Blues' league rivals wanted to sign the teenager on loan this summer.

Birmingham City are closing in on the signing of Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas.

Blues have once again beaten off strong competition to sign an up-and-coming Premier League talent on loan. Amid interest from other Championship sides, including Sheffield United, as was reported by James Pearce, Koumas has elected to join Birmingham on loan for this season, as per Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old son of former Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion star Jason Koumas will bring some second-tier experience to Chris Davies' side, having made 43 appearances for Stoke City during his temporary stay with the Potters last time out.

The Welsh international is unlikely to be involved in Birmingham's match this weekend against Oxford United due to the timing of his decision and the time needed to complete the deal.

Davies said, prior to the game on Saturday, that he is hoping to get a couple more through the door before the window shuts on 1st September. The Liverpool teen is set to be one of them.

Birmingham City praised by Lee Hendrie over Lewis Koumas deal

It's been a strong summer window overall for the newly promoted club, and this latest move is another gem of a deal. That's according to Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie, who spoke exclusively to Football League World about Koumas' move to St Andrew's, prior to the player's destination choice being announced.

"Birmingham continue to talk about bringing more players. I know that they've been looking for a possibility of someone who has a real creative flair about him, and Lewis Koumas definitely ticks the box from Liverpool," said Hendrie.

"I like how he plays, obviously comes from good stock, and you do feel that if they can get this permanent deal over the line, I think they've got one for the future and one who will learn and progress, particularly if Birmingham do succeed in getting to the Premier League or getting there or thereabouts.

"You feel that the way they're recruiting has been quite magnificent this season, I must admit. I know they've been linked with a lot of players, but I think the versatility of youth and the experience has been really good and he'd be a super signing."

Lewis Koumas could be the last piece of the perfect Birmingham City squad jigsaw

Birmingham have made 11 signings this summer, with Koumas set to take the incomings at St Andrew's up to a dozen. For all the new faces that they have brought in since being relegated to League One, left-wing is one position that they have struggled to add too much depth to.

Keshi Anderson is the obvious first choice for this spot in Davies' side. After that comes players who aren't naturally suited to the role. Koumas is, and that will be a big rotational help for the manager, and potentially part of the reason why the Welshman chose them over others - he should get a decent bit of game time with a top second-tier side.

Koumas, with his pace, trickery and directness, could offer a new dimension to this Birmingham side, and you get the impression that he could be particularly impactful when featuring from the bench late in matches against low defensive blocks.