3 players who should follow Joe Gelhardt to Birmingham City | OneFootball

Birmingham City are keen on doing a deal for Joe Gelhardt, but they must also address three other areas of the pitch ahead of the transfer deadline.

Birmingham City are looking to strengthen Chris Davies’ squad in the final month of the transfer window, with Joe Gelhardt among their targets.

The attacker enjoyed a fantastic individual campaign with Hull City, scoring 15 goals as they won promotion to the top flight, which included a crucial effort at Millwall in the play-off semi-final.

However, the Tigers have delayed securing Gelhardt on a permanent basis from Leeds United, with the player having entered the final year of his contract at Elland Road.

Therefore, other clubs could try to swoop in, and it has been confirmed that Blues are targeting the 24-year-old, and whilst they can’t offer Premier League football like Hull, the appeal of regular first-team minutes may be enough to convince Gelhardt.

His performances last season suggest Gelhardt would be a coup for Blues, but fans will hope he isn’t the only signing through the door, and here we look at THREE other players that they should try to bring to St. Andrew’s.

Ki-Jana Hoever

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This is by no means the most exciting transfer link, but with doubts about Bright Osayi-Samuel’s future, and Ethan Laird’s fitness issues, Birmingham could be in the market for a new right-back.

With Laird a quality operator, if he can stay fit, Davies won’t want to spend a significant chunk of the budget on someone in that position, so a low-cost squad option would be the way to go, and Ki-Jana Hoever fits the bill in that sense.

The Dutchman is currently at Wolves, but he is nowhere near the first-team, and with a year to run on his deal, a move would make sense for all parties.

In Hoever, Blues would be getting someone who should be comfortable in Davies’ system, and at 24, he could be a smart investment in the long-term, considering he will be available at a knockdown price.

With almost 70 appearances in the Championship with Stoke and Sheffield United in the past, Hoever won’t take time to adapt, so it could be a solid, if unspectacular, addition for Birmingham.

Jordan Holsgrove

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Tommy Doyle had a hit-and-miss season with Birmingham last time out, but his return to Wolves has left Davies lacking a technical midfielder.

That’s not to say that the current crop aren’t capable on the ball, but you do get the feeling the team could benefit from someone who can link play in a deeper role - and Jordan Holsgrove could be the man to do just that.

Currently with Estoril, Holsgrove has excelled in Portugal over the past few years, and his performances have attracted attention, with Charlton and Wolves among the admirers, along with clubs in the Bundesliga.

So, he should be available, and Estoril are not likely to demand a fee that would put Holsgrove out of Blues’ reach. In fact, he could be available for what many see as a bargain price, and his style of play would bring something different to this Birmingham team.

Ibrahim Osman

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This is the dream signing for many Birmingham fans, as they got to see exactly what Ibrahim Osman is about during his loan spell at St. Andrew’s from January earlier this year.

The Ghana international brings pace and unpredictability to Blues’ attack, and he quickly established himself as one of the top performers for Davies.

With Demarai Gray’s injury record, many will see this as a priority position, and Osman must be the number one target for the club considering his age, potential, and how he settled last season.

You get the feeling there’s a lot more to come from the 21-year-old as well, so whether it’s a loan deal or a permanent agreement with Brighton, this is something Birmingham must push to get over the line, as FLW have been told, because Osman could be crucial to their chances of promotion.