Clear Birmingham City transfer message sent to Wolves in battle for €7m-rated winger - "surely you'd pick Blues" | OneFootball

Blues have again been linked with FC Basel's Nigerian ace, Philip Otele

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City have been urged to speed up their transfer activity as links have resurfaced between the club and FC Basel's Nigerian winger, Philip Otele.

According to Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport, the 26-year-old is expected to leave the reigning Swiss Super League champions in the current winter transfer window, with the ambitious Championship side set to rival the likes of local rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers plus AFC Bournemouth, Celtic and Serie A giants, Lazio, for his signature.

It has been an intriguing first two weeks of the current winter transfer window for Blues and Chris Davies, with the club's plans widely reported beforehand as they attempt to reshuffle their squad in order to stand a chance of maintaining their play-off bid after a return to winning ways against Coventry City in their previous second tier outing.

Birmingham are currently 14th in the table and have 20 league fixtures remaining, as well as an upcoming FA Cup tie against Premier League opposition in the form of Leeds United at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

So far, though, only one acquisition has been confirmed in the form of 28-year-old German full-back, Kai Wagner, who already has a goal and assist to his name across two appearances thus far.

Blues have also set their sights on Girona FC's Colombian midfielder, Jhon Solis, and are now looking at alternative options to Mjallby AIF's seven-goal winger, Abdoulie Manneh, with Football League World exclusively revealing that a deal for the one-time Gambian international collapsed on Tuesday, with the prospect reportedly now in talks with another club.

Throughout the first half of the campaign, returning academy graduate, Demarai Gray, was deployed as Davies' main option on the left wing, before a calf injury sustained on Boxing Day against Derby County paved the way for Lewis Koumas to come back into the fold, although it is expected that the 19-year-old will still see his loan from Liverpool cut short if a replacement can be sourced.

As such, links with Otele, who has featured in the UEFA Europa League for Basel this term, have resurfaced, and Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes he would be enticed by a move to the Second City over their local rivals, Wolves, who currently foot the Premier League table after 21 games.

It was first reported by GiveMeSport last month that Blues were interested in luring Otele to the West Midlands alongside last season's FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace.

Ahead of the current window, the winger was reported to be keen on a maiden move to English football after being the subject of interest from Fulham in the summer, and that a deal in the regions of €8m and €10m could be struck between Basel and any potential suitors.

Jacobs now reports that Basel have dropped their minimal asking price for the 'explosive' forward to approximately €7m, although deals will only be considered if they are north of said valuation, with Birmingham still interested in striking a deal between now and Monday, February 2nd amid competition from Wolves, Bournemouth, Celtic and Lazio.

Given the club's current need for a fresh option in wide areas, Moore has urged the club to speed things up on this particular front.

"At this point, I don't really care who Blues sign," he told FLW.

"We just need to get a winger that's got some pace and (that) it looks like we're going to be doing something.

"If this (Otele) is their man and there are other clubs that are after him, then go and get him," Moore added.

"They just need to move a bit quicker, because they're taking forever with bringing someone in. This is a short window, and if that's your man, hurry up and get him.

"If it's me, and I know it's cringey when Blues fans and Tom Wagner talk about it, but 'the project' we've got at the club, why would you choose Wolves over us when they're going to get relegated? Their squad's going to get torn apart, and I don't particularly rate Rob Edwards," he claimed.

"I think Blues is 100 percent more the attractive option (over Wolves). My big fear would be if Crystal Palace or Fulham came in for him," Moore explained

"But, if you're choosing between us and Wolves, I'd be very surprised if anyone chooses them over us at the minute, because that club is just 'toxic'. Especially the way the fans are reacting at the minute.

"Go and get him. If he had to choose between us and Wolves, surely you'd pick Blues."

Philip Otele would add a different dimension to Birmingham City's attack

Despite the technical ability which Koumas has shown glimpses of, it is clear that Blues are wanting further pace and power out wide aside from the currently sidelined Gray.

Those attributes, as well as a goalscoring touch, would have been provided by Manneh. However, Otele is a player with extensive experience across Europe, and has shone for Basel since his initial loan move, which was turned permanent for just €3m last summer, was confirmed.

An overall record of 17 goals and seven assists in just 51 games is particularly impressive, and it would be another statement from the Second City club if they were to fend off such strong competition for Otele's signature.