Tom Wagner can make big Birmingham City statement by beating Celtic and Wolves to Arsenal transfer | OneFootball

Beating several clubs in the race for Max Dowman's services would be ideal for Blues

Birmingham City's transfer strategy in recent times has certainly yielded mixed success rates at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, but it hasn't changed Knighthead's overall ambition.

That, of course, is to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, with Chris Davies currently the man tasked with making such dreams a reality.

Birmingham began last season with optimism due to the calibre of players joining the upwardly mobile club, as well as the fact the pre-existing squad at Davies' disposal was seen as being able to hold its own at Championship level. However, they were never truly amongst the promotion conversation, instead finishing in 10th, which led to mixed assessments.

Fast-forward to the present though, and the West Midlands side have certainly upped their performance levels compared to 12 months' ago, having lost just one of their first eight games.

As such, not many tweaks may be required in January, but Tom Wagner could still make a statement with one particular addition.

Several EFL sides are weighing up Max Dowman loan swoop

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At 16 years of age, Max Dowman has swiftly become one of the most talked-about prospects, not just in English football, but in the world, for his sudden breakthrough into Arsenal's first-team fold.

Less than two years ago, the attacker became the youngest-ever player to feature in Premier League 2 at 15, and was swiftly fast-tracked into Mikel Arteta's senior setup in North London after earning rave reviews.

Such feats are hardly unsurprising when Dowman netted 20 goals and posted 10 assists in just 25 appearances for the club's Under-18s, as well as two strikes in six games at Under-21s level.

But with the Gunners weighing up the next decision to aid their starlet's future development, it has recently been reported that as many as 12 clubs are looking at a potential loan move, including the Championship quartet of Burnley, Norwich City, West Ham United and Wolves.

Birmingham City should join the queue for Arsenal, Max Dowman loan

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Although not credited with interest at this particular point, it could be a smart decision for Birmingham to join the queue for a loan swoop, as Dowman clearly isn't short of current ability and future potential.

Despite suffering injury misfortune last season, the England youth international still contributed to the Gunners' Premier League triumph with an assist against Leeds United and his first senior goal versus Everton, but has only played 99 minutes for the first-team this campaign, although he was also able to net a brace in the EFL Cup against Ipswich Town.

It is fair to say that Birmingham do have strength-in-depth in the wide areas, particularly on the right-wing where Dowman has featured previously, in Carlos Vicente and Patrick Roberts, although the former hasn't been overly convincing since his big-money switch from Deportivo Alaves in January despite seven goal contributions in 28 appearances.

Max Dowman addition could benefit Jay Stansfield's Birmingham City impact

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Alternatively, Dowman has also shown the capability of featuring in the 'number 10' role, which has become a problem position for Davies over his two-year stint in B9.

Both Marvin Ducksch - whose immediate future remains in doubt - and club-record signing, Jay Stansfield, have featured in said role across recent months, although there is a strong belief that this has hindered the 23-year-old.

Stansfield has also turned out on the left-wing, but since the turn of the year, has only scored on three occasions, which has been the source of individual frustration, even though his work-rate in unnatural positions has still, rightfully, earned major praise.

Having missed out on the additions of Adrian Segecic and Anis Mehmeti this summer, Dowman could be a short-term solution to the problem if he can bring his prior exploits and confidence to Birmingham, albeit a lack of experience being recruited by Davies has previously been criticised.

Birmingham City's environment could also aid Max Dowman's future

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With Dowman set to agree professional terms with Arsenal in December when he turns 17, it will be hoped the Chelmsford-born prodigy lives up to his current hype for many years, not just to benefit the capital club, but potentially the England national side.

A period with Blues could also be a learning curve for the teenager from a mental perspective, as the club are one of the most ambitious in the EFL, and have one of the most demanding and passionate fanbases in the Championship to go with that.

It has also been well-documented that Birmingham were responsible for aiding Jude Bellingham's career at a similar age, with the former academy graduate going on to become a world-renowned superstar for the Three Lions and Real Madrid.