If Birmingham City say goodbye to Marvin Ducksch then Man City attacker must replace him | OneFootball

Birmingham City should consider a move for Manchester City's Divine Mukasa in case of Marvin Ducksch's departure

Birmingham City will be hoping to continue their upward trajectory under boss Chris Davies next campaign, but first, a strong summer transfer window is imperative, with the former Leicester City assistant coach having some big decisions to make in terms of some key personnel.

Heading into the 2025/26 season, many had expected Birmingham to be fighting in and amongst the very top of the division despite having only just been promoted from League One.

However, it was the manner in which they romped to the third-tier title by a record-breaking 111 points, and subsequent spending in the transfer window, which raised everybody's expectations, so when the Blues finished in 10th in the most recent campaign, many viewed it as relatively underwhelming.

Though in actuality, it's a big improvement from the Midlands outfit, and though they didn't quite hit the heights many thought them to be capable of reaching, Blues fans must view it as a huge stride forward.

Davies, though, will be under pressure to continue that upwards trend, and the former assistant to Brendan Rodgers can provide himself with the best platform to do so with a strong summer window.

German forward Marvin Ducksch has been linked with a return to his native country with Augsburg and Hertha Berlin, and should he depart the club, the Blues should look to make a move for Manchester City attacker, who recently showed glimpses of his incredible ability in the second tier.

Birmingham City should target Manchester City's Divine Mukasa as a potential Marvin Ducksch replacement this summer after Leicester City evidence

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Birmingham's forward line last season, on paper, was amongst the most talented in the entire division.

With Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Ibrahim Osman and Demarai Grey off the left, Patrick Robers and Carlos Vicente off the right, Jay Stansfield and Kyogo Furuhashi through the middle, and Ausgut Priske and Marvin Ducksch up top, Davies was spoiled for choice.

Vicente joined from Deportivo Alaves in the January window for around £7 million, Priske signed from Swedish outfit Djurgarden around the same time for around £6 million, whilst Stansfield broke the League One record fee when he joined from Fulham in the summer of 2024 for over £15 million, and Kyogo joined last summer from French side Rennes for £10 million.

With all that money spent, it would be hard to suggest that the Blues didn't have an abundance of talent in the final third, yet things never seemed to fully click into gear for Davies' side.

Ducksch, who joined for just €2 million (£1.7 million) last summer from Werder Bremen scored ten and assisted twice in 33 games during his first year in the Championship, but with off-field incidents overshadowing his time at the club, he has been linked with a return to Germany, with the likes of Augsburg and Hertha Berlin interested in activating his reported €1 million release clause.

Should Ducksch leave, Birmingham must line up a move for Manchester City's Divine Mukasa as a replacement.

Whilst not at similar players, with Ducksch being a more classic physical centre forward, and Mukasa, 18, being a more creative number ten, it's a move that could make sense for the Blues.

With Kyogo having struggled to adapt to life at St Andrews and his compatriot Kanya Fujimoto also not making any sort of impact, another body ought to be a priority in that position.

Stansfield has often filled that void, but with the former England youth international better as an out-and-out centre-forward, Ducksch's departure could allow him to push further up, whilst Mukasa fills the role behind the striker.

Eligible to represent either Lithuania, Uganda, or England at international level, the Man City youngster spent the second half of last season on loan with Leicester City, in what was his first taste of regular senior football in his career.

He netted twice and grabbed three assists in 15 appearances for the Foxes, who were ultimately relegated, but showed glimpses of his ability despite his age, though he was unable to fully shine under Gary Rowett.

Birmingham ought to be lining up Mukasa as an indirect replacement.

Chris Davies will be under increased pressure at Birmingham City next season and must consider Divine Mukasa addition in case of Marvin Ducksch departure

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Birmingham have among the most ambitious owners in the United Kingdom, with Premier League football as soon as possible the utmost priority.

The Blues last played in the top flight in 2011, and their 15-year absence has been a long and frustrating one for supporters of the club to endure, to say the least, especially watching local rivals Aston Villa thrive in the meantime.

Davies must, at the minimum, be on track for a top six finish next campaign at all times; otherwise, there is no doubting Birmingham's willingness to make a change in the dugout.