Birmingham City news: Tom Wagner's Wrexham dig, Tom Brady questions Wayne Rooney, Bielik exit update | OneFootball

FLW rounds up all the latest news coming out of St Andrew's.

From transfers to documentaries, it's all happening at Birmingham City at the moment.

The Blues are enjoying a busy summer both on and off the pitch, as the club prepares for its first season back in the Championship since their 23/24 relegation.

Chris Davies' side aren't just hoping to survive back in the second tier next term, however, with the feeling around St Andrew's being one of anticipation of another huge campaign in store over in the blue half of the Second City.

Football League World takes a look at all the latest news coming out of Birmingham City.

Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner takes a jab at Wrexham

There are perhaps no two clubs heading into the 25/26 Championship season with more interest and intrigue surrounding them than Birmingham City, and Wrexham.

Fans of the two American-owned sides have both enjoyed the fruits of ambitious ownership in recent times, with the Red Dragons going for their fourth-straight promotion next season, whilst the Blues are fresh off the back of their League One precession.

However, speaking in Birmingham's brand-new documentary series 'Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues' via BBC Sport, Brum co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner made it clear which club he thinks has the greater burning desire to succeed behind them.

"They've (Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac) done a spectacular job at bringing attention to a small club."

"I think what we have here is a club that's already a very big club and so, from our perspective, it's a bit different. The ambitions for us in the context of what we'll build is bigger than what they'll do at Wrexham.

"Our target's not Wrexham. Our target is to play Premier League football against Villa."

Tom Brady calls Wayne Rooney trait into question

Minority stakeholder Tom Brady, of whom the aforementioned documentary - which follows Birmingham's relegation to League One and their subsequent promotion - lends his surname, has also been causing debate online after a clip from the new fly on the wall series involving him went viral.

In it, the American Football icon makes no secret of his concerns surrounding Birmingham manager at the time, Wayne Rooney, regarding the Manchester United and England legend's work ethic.

Brady says of Rooney in November 2023: "I'm a little worried about our head coach's work ethic. I mean, I don't know, I don't have great instincts on that."

Krystian Bielik exit plan revealed

Whilst Birmingham have been extremely busy strengthening their squad this summer, a host of players have left the club in order to ensure the books are balanced.

One of those who could soon be on his way out of St Andrew's is their captain, Krystian Bielik.

That's because a report from our sister site GIVEMESPORT on Friday has revealed that Blues will listen to offers for the 27-year-old defender this summer.

The Poland international only signed a contract extension until June 2027 - one that, per Capology, is reportedly seeing him earn £20k-a-week - with Birmingham last summer, but has now been deemed surplus to requirements at the club following the arrivals of Phil Neumann and Eiran Cashin.

Tommy Doyle transfer revelation

One of Birmingham's new signings this summer is midfielder Tommy Doyle.

The Wolves man has signed a season-long loan deal at St Andrew's - a move that Football League World exclusively revealed was happening - and looks set to play a key role in the club's Premier League promotion push.

However, a report from the Express & Star has revealed that a permanent move to the club will be triggered if Blues win promotion to the top-flight next season, which will cost the club in the region of £10m.

Should he indeed help Brum to that achievement, then that will surely be a fee that everyone connected with the club will be more than happy to see forked out for his services on a permanent basis.

Emil Hansson secures Birmingham City exit

Another Birmingham transfer exit has been confirmed on Friday.

Football League World exclusively revealed that Blues boss Chris Davies had omitted Emil Hansson from the club's pre-season squad in early July, having moved to St Andrew's from Heracles in a £1.5m deal last summer.

As a result, he's been bookmarked to leave the club before the 1 September deadline, and now he's got that move.

The 27-year-old winger has returned to League One, joining Blackpool on a season-long loan deal.

“It feels great and I’m looking forward to the season starting," Hansson said of his move to Bloomfield Road.

“This club has high aspirations and after being involved in a team that had such success at this level last season, I hope to bring a winning mentality and hunger here to Blackpool.

“I can’t wait to meet everyone and to work under the gaffer, who of course has achieved so much in the game. I’m really happy to be here.”