Birmingham City must join QPR’s Sheffield Wednesday transfer race | OneFootball

Birmingham City simply have to join QPR and Cardiff City in the race for a Sheffield Wednesday player this summer...

There is often a scramble for emerging talent when a club drops into League One and this summer looks set to be no different, which is where a club like Birmingham City could benefit from Sheffield Wednesday's relegation.

As ever, relegation invariably forces difficult financial decisions. Sheffield Wednesday will certainly be no different, even with David Storch's takeover likely. With that comes opportunity for ambitious Championship sides to capitalise this summer.

For those clubs looking to build rather than merely survive, these situations can be pivotal. The chance to prise away a high-upside asset, especially one who may not be attainable under normal circumstances, can help shape a squad for years to come.

It is why recruitment teams across the second tier will be keeping a close eye on a few different options at Sheffield Wednesday, with interest already beginning to gather pace in a team that has been forced to blood in young stars this season.

Pierce Charles interest grows and Birmingham City should join race

While a number of sides are circling, the reality is that not all will be able to compete if the situation escalates. With attention likely arriving from the top end of the market, both domestically and north of the border, this is a deal that could quickly move beyond the reach of many.

That is precisely why decisive action is required from those best positioned to strike. One of the main players in question is Pierce Charles, with it being no surprise to see his name attracting growing attention despite Wednesday’s relegation. Despite injury, his recent displays have been exemplary and a queue is beginning to form.

Per FLW's recent exclusive, Charles is understood to be on the radar of QPR and Cardiff City. However, interest is unlikely to stop there, with potential suitors in the Premier League. There have also been links between Celtic and Rangers, with it reported by talkSPORT that the Scottish giants are monitoring his situation.

A previous report from TEAMtalk claimed there is a wider pursuit for Charles this summer, naming the likes of Coventry City, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City as suitors credited with an interest.

Not yet linked, but Birmingham City feels like a destination for Charles to thrive in. For Blues, it's an opportunity that simply cannot be ignored. With James Beadle set to return to his parent club Brighton & Hove Albion following the conclusion of his loan spell, there is a clear and pressing need to address the goalkeeping department.

That alone should push them towards the front of the queue. Charles would also be a guaranteed starter, with the 20-year-old at a key stage in his development and in need of regular first-team minutes. That could be a determining factor, should they join the race.

What gives Birmingham a genuine edge, however, is their financial capability. Compared to many Championship rivals who can also offer regular game time, they are in a position to put together a package that Sheffield Wednesday may find difficult to turn down. Have QPR got that kind of muscle? Have Cardiff?

Of course, particularly given the financial implications of relegation alongside the pre-existing financial concerns, Wednesday cannot exactly demand top dollar. However, if this situation somehow turns into a bidding war, Blues are one of the few sides equipped to remain competitive.

Why Pierce Charles is the perfect goalkeeper signing for Birmingham City

Beyond the financial aspect, the footballing fit is equally important to mention here. Under Chris Davies, Birmingham will adopt a possession-based approach, with a clear emphasis on building from the back. In that regard, Charles profiles as an ideal addition.

Having come through the Man City academy, it was always likely that he would be comfortable in possession and composed under pressure. He has the technical foundation from that City education, meaning he has the skill-set required to operate in such a system, while also possessing the shot-stopping ability to develop into a reliable number one over time.

This is not merely a short-term fix, either. Charles would absolutely be a long-term investment. He is one who could grow with the club and potentially become a key asset both on the pitch and in terms of future resale value. In a market where goalkeepers with his profile are increasingly difficult to secure, this is the type of move that forward-thinking clubs must be prepared to make.

QPR and Cardiff may already be in the race, but Birmingham have both the need and the means to make a move. If they are serious about building a squad capable of competing at the right end of the Championship, then this is exactly the kind of deal they should be pushing hard to complete.