Birmingham City must rival Burnley for ex-Sunderland star after shock defender exit | OneFootball

Birmingham City should rival Burnley for the signature of Dennis Cirkin this summer following Kai Wagner's exit

Birmingham City have spent an enormous amount over the past couple of years, but as the Blues are set to make a healthy profit on a player purchased just six months ago, Chris Davies should plot a free swoop as their replacement.

Indeed, Birmingham have been one of, if not the biggest, spenders in the entire EFL over the past two years or so, with the Blues having spent over £50 million on the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Carlos Vicente, Jay Stansfield, and, more recently, Jhon Solis, who has seen his loan move become permanent this summer for around £6 million.

Following the Colombian through the doors at St Andrews is former Middlesbrough captain Dael Fry, with the 28-year-old penning a three-year deal in the Second City, with that being the club's only bit of business thus far.

Spanish goalkeeper Aaron Escandell has been linked with a move to Birmingham from recently relegated Real Oviedo, but as potential incomings continue to be linked, head coach Davies must now contend with the departure of one of their star players, and should consider a move for a highly coveted free agent as their replacement.

Birmingham City should rival Burnley for the signature of Dennis Cirkin this summer after Kai Wagner's departure

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Following Vicente and Solis to St Andrews last January were Ibrahim Osman, August Priske, and German left-back Kai Wagner, who came in to provide competition for Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan.

Wagner, 29, had appeared in the lower leagues of Germany for the likes of Augsburg's youth side, SSV Ulm, Schalke's youth side, and Wurzburger Kickers before heading to MLS in 2019 with Philadelphia Union.

It wouldn't take long for Wagner to adapt to life in the USA, as over the next seven years, he would go on to make over 250 appearances in Pennsylvania before joining Birmingham in January.

He made 16 Championship appearances for the Blues, grabbing three assists, and proving to be a constant attacking threat from left-back.

However, it has now been reported that Wagner, who only joined for around £2 million six months ago, is on the cusp of a return to Philadelphia Union this summer, with a €4.5 million (£3.8 million) having been agreed between the two clubs that would see him head back to North America.

It's a surprise blow for Davies, who hadn't planned on the 29-year-old's departure, but must now actively search for a viable replacement to once again provide competition for Cochrane and Buchanan in that position.

Having found success in signing former Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts, Birmingham should join Burnley in the race for former Black Cats defender Dennis Cirkin this summer.

Cirkin, 24, according to Alan Nixon's Patreon, has recently become the subject of interest from both Burnley and German Bundesliga side FC Schalke following his release from Sunderland this summer.

The Irish-born Latvian made 126 appearances across five years contracted at the Stadium of Light, playing crucial roles in their rise from League One to the Premier League, but saw his game time slashed upon their return to the top flight.

Cirkin managed just 320 league minutes across eight league appearances last season, with the addition of Reinildo proving costly in his game time, and now, could be set for a return to the Championship.

With Wagner on his way out, Davies should look into the free agent market once again, as he did with Fry, and plot a move for the former Tottenham Hotspur youth player this summer.

Strong going forward just as he is in defence, according to FotMob, Cirkin was averaging over a shot per game in Sunderland's last season in the Championship, whilst making 241 defensive contributions and making 92 tackles despite starting just 30 games that campaign.

Still only 24, the Latvian is undoubtedly one of the best free agents on the market right now, and with Burnley ramping up their interest in the left-back, Birmingham ought to swoop sooner rather than later to not miss out on this potential bargain and ideal Wagner replacement.

Chris Davies must consider swoop for Dennis Cirkin this summer following Kai Wagner's Birmingham City exit

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Wagner's Birmingham exit has come as a shock to many, including those at the club, as the Blues must now scramble for a ready-made replacement.

Cirkin is at an ideal age and on a free transfer, poses little to no financial risk in case the move somehow backfired, but given his proven pedigree at Championship level, it's highly unlikely that would be the case.