'Go and get him' - Birmingham City backed to seal Ipswich Town transfer | OneFootball

Anis Mehmeti has been seen as a player Blues must target after strong transfer movement at Portman Road

With limited time now remaining in the summer transfer window, Birmingham City have been urged to push for the signature of Anis Mehmeti from Premier League newcomers, Ipswich Town.

Blues are hoping to build on a mixed campaign in last season's Championship, having finished 10th despite overseeing two high-profile recruitment drives under Chris Davies.

Spending has been reined in somewhat this year in comparison to previous windows of the Knighthead regime, with six additions made so far, whilst the 41-year-old will also hope the pre-existing members of the squad are now fully aclimatised to the rigours of the second tier.

However, throughout Davies' tenure, there have been a handful of areas within his squad that have presented a problem, and the 'number 10' position has certainly been one of those.

That has been emphasised even more by recent transfer developments at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, and now, with one eye on how Ipswich are moving in the summer window in a bid to ensure Premier League survival under the newly-appointed Gary O'Neil, some are questioning whether the Albanian will receive ample minutes following his January move from Bristol City.

Birmingham City told why they urgently need to plot Anis Mehmeti, Ipswich Town transfer move

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Last season, Davies often rotated his 'number 10' option between the likes of club-record signing, Jay Stansfield, and two-time German international, Marvin Ducksch, although at times either decision didn't have the greatest of impacts on the side from a creative perspective.

Mehmeti, meanwhile, had become one of the division's hottest properties throughout his time at Ashton Gate, where he registered 26 goals and nine assists in 136 appearances, before striking a cut-price £3.5m switch to Ipswich, where he netted twice in 18 appearances on route to promotion.

However, with the Tractor Boys sealing a £26m deal for Paraguayan international, Julio Enciso, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes that should be used as a signal for Blues to try and sign Mehmeti on loan, or permanently.

"One million%, that's the signing Blues should be after," Moore told FLW.

"If he's available in the 'number 10' position, Blues should be all over that.

"I've always said, get Championship experience. It's all well and good getting these players who look like they can play in the division, but for me, get players who are proven," he added.

"We've got a good squad, had an OK season last season, we've adjusted to the league. Now, go and get players who know the league.

"I don't know many Blues fans who wouldn't say Mehmeti isn't a top target as a 'number 10'," Moore claimed. "Maybe Scott Twine (instead).

"Don't get the Spaniard that we're linked with. If Mehmeti's the 'number 10' and left-winger who's available, and that's where we want to splash the cash, go and get him.

"I'm as passionate about getting him as I was about getting (Radek) Vitek before."

Anis Mehmeti is proven at Championship level compared to Cesar Gelabert

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As Moore alluded to, Mehmeti is one of the highest-quality operators in a '10' role which the Championship has seen in recent years, as he was particularly key to the Robins' play-off campaign of 2023/24.

It now remains to be seen if he will be afforded gametime in the top-flight, but it is no surprise that Birmingham fans would rather his signature be courted than that of 25-year-old Spaniard, Cesar Gelabert.

Gelabert is reportedly of interest to Blues, as well as MLS and La Liga sides, after producing a tally of eight goals and four assists in La Liga 2 for Sporting Gijon.

Anis Mehmeti swoop would easily soften Birmingham City's Joe Gelhardt blow

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As well as being a proven Championship-quality player, a move for Mehmeti's services would soften the blow Blues recently suffered in pursuit of an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, Davies was reportedly on the cusp of signing Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United, before Hull City swooped to secure a permanent deal for the 24-year-old despite a current hamstring issue.