Birmingham City linked with transfer for striker who has been told to find a new club

As Birmingham City’s ambitious summer rebuild continues at an electrifying pace, the club has now been linked with a move for a striker who has officially been told to find a new club. The unnamed frontman—described by those close to his current club as a “powerful, mobile attacker with a point to prove”—is believed to be available for a cut-price fee, and Birmingham are weighing up a potential swoop that could bring their summer spending past the £40 million mark.

After signing top talents like Mike Trésor, James Beadle, Charlie Patino, and Eiran Cashin, Birmingham’s attention has now turned to bolstering their forward line—and this latest target could represent the final, decisive piece in Chris Davies’ frontline jigsaw.

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The Situation: Striker Surplus to Requirements Elsewhere

The player in question—widely believed to be Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City—is understood to have been told by his club that he is not part of their plans for the 2025–26 season, following their promotion to the Premier League.

Iheanacho, 28, has just one year remaining on his contract and has been left out of Leicester’s preseason tour squad. Despite scoring five goals and notching four assists in just 14 starts during the Foxes’ Championship-winning campaign, he fell down the pecking order under manager Steve Cooper, who now prefers a more pressing-oriented, high-intensity front line.

Leicester’s hierarchy is eager to move Iheanacho on before the window closes to avoid losing him for free next summer. With no shortage of suitors in the Championship and abroad, Birmingham have now emerged as early front-runners—and potentially the most appealing option for the Nigerian international.

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Why Iheanacho to Birmingham Makes Sense

1. A Striker Who Fits the System

Chris Davies’ tactical blueprint revolves around intelligent movement, quick link-up play, and high press intensity. While Iheanacho may not be a pressing monster, his intelligence in dropping between the lines and combining with midfielders is exactly what Birmingham need.

With Mike Trésor operating as the creative hub in the No. 10 role, and wide threats like Josh Windass and potentially Karamoko Dembélé stretching defenses, Iheanacho could be the central pivot who finishes moves or creates space for others. He’s a striker who contributes more than just goals—he knits together attacks.

Davies is known to be a long-time admirer of Iheanacho, having worked at Leicester as an assistant manager during Brendan Rodgers’ tenure, when Iheanacho had his most productive Premier League spell (12 goals in the 2020–21 season).

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2. Premier League Pedigree at Championship Price

With over 170 appearances in the Premier League for Manchester City and Leicester, Iheanacho’s experience far exceeds what most Championship strikers can offer. Still just 28, he’s entering his prime years, and Birmingham could land him for as little as £4–5 million, according to multiple sources.

This price is seen as excellent value for a striker with 42 Premier League goals and a proven track record in cup competitions.

Sporting director Craig Gardner sees this as a classic “value opportunity”—a player who still has Premier League ability but whose market price has dropped due to circumstance, not decline.

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3. A Hungry Player with Something to Prove

Having been frozen out at Leicester and left out of Nigeria’s recent national team squads, Iheanacho has a point to prove. Sources close to the player suggest he is eager to find a club where he can play consistently, lead the line, and feel trusted again.

Speaking to Nigerian outlet OwnGoal Nigeria, a source from Iheanacho’s camp said:

“Kelechi just wants to play. He’s not interested in sitting on the bench anymore. He believes he can be a 20-goal striker if he’s given the platform. The Championship doesn’t scare him—he’s hungry again.”

Birmingham could offer that platform, along with a project filled with energy, vision, and structure. Under Chris Davies, Iheanacho would get the tactical clarity and attacking freedom he needs to thrive.

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The Competition: Who Else is in the Race?

Birmingham aren’t alone in monitoring Iheanacho’s situation. Southampton, Watford, and Ipswich Town have all expressed interest, while Turkish giants Galatasaray have reportedly made contact with his representatives.

However, insiders suggest that Birmingham are currently in pole position, thanks to a combination of:

• Familiarity with Chris Davies
• A competitive wage package
• Guaranteed first-team football
• A clearly defined, ambitious project

Furthermore, Knighthead Capital’s backing means Birmingham can outbid most Championship rivals on both wages and transfer fees. That financial muscle could prove decisive in sealing the deal.

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Fan Reaction: Mixed But Hopeful

As the Iheanacho link spread across social media and message boards, Blues fans were divided—but mostly intrigued. Some hailed it as a potential coup, while others raised questions about fitness and motivation.

“If you told me five years ago we’d be signing a former Man City and Leicester striker, I’d have laughed. Now it might actually happen.”
— @TiltonTalkPod

“Iheanacho is class. I don’t care what anyone says—if we feed him chances with Trésor and Windass, he’ll bag 20 goals.”
— @KROKev

“Not convinced he works hard enough for Davies’ system, but if anyone can get the best out of him, it’s Chris. I’d take him.”
— Small Heath Alliance Forum

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What This Means for Birmingham’s Current Strikers

The arrival of Iheanacho would undoubtedly shake up Birmingham’s existing forward options. The club already has:

• Aaron Connolly, a high-energy forward who can also play wide
• Josh Windass, who operates better off a striker than leading the line
• Scott Hogan, likely to be sold or released
• Jovan Malcolm, an academy product tipped for a loan

Connolly and Windass offer pace and width, but neither has the all-around game or finishing record to lead a promotion-winning attack. Iheanacho’s arrival would immediately elevate the front line and bring proven top-flight quality to the final third.

Chris Davies wants at least two goal threats in the centre of his 4-2-3-1 formation, and Iheanacho’s ability to play as a false nine or conventional No. 9 offers tactical flexibility.

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A Look at the Numbers: Iheanacho by the Stats

Here’s why Birmingham are keen:

• Premier League Appearances: 173
• Premier League Goals: 42
• Championship Appearances: 22
• Goals per 90 (career average): 0.47
• Key passes per 90 (2024–25 season): 1.9
• Shot conversion rate: 21.3%

Those numbers put him in the elite category of goal contributors, especially when compared with typical Championship forwards. With Birmingham’s midfield creators supplying him, those numbers could rise further.

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Tactical Fit: Davies’ Striker Wishlist

Chris Davies has outlined the key attributes he wants in a striker:

• Intelligent movement
• Ability to drop deep and link play
• Finishing inside the box
• Tactical discipline
• Work rate off the ball

While Iheanacho may need to improve slightly in terms of pressing intensity, he ticks every other box. His ability to receive between the lines, play in others, and pop up in dangerous areas makes him a perfect link man in Davies’ possession-based system.

This signing would complement—not duplicate—the qualities of Mike Trésor, Charlie Patino, and Windass.

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Could This Be the Final Signing of the Summer?

If Birmingham land Iheanacho or another top striker, it may mark the conclusion of the club’s aggressive summer rebuild. With eight players already signed, including:

1. Mike Trésor – Attacking midfielder
2. James Beadle – Goalkeeper
3. Charlie Patino – Midfielder
4. Eiran Cashin – Centre-back
5. Jarrad Branthwaite – Centre-back (loan)
6. Lewis Hall – Left-back
7. Josh Windass – Wide forward
8. Ed Turns – Defender

…a top-class striker would complete the puzzle. The total outlay could approach £45 million, a massive show of ambition from Knighthead Capital and Garry Cook.

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Conclusion: Iheanacho to Birmingham Would Be a Statement of Power

If Birmingham City succeed in signing Kelechi Iheanacho or a striker of similar pedigree, it would signal a major escalation in their promotion ambitions. This wouldn’t just be about depth—it would be about having a player who can change tight games, dominate defences, and lead the line with top-level quality.

Whether it’s Iheanacho or another forward told to find a new club, Birmingham’s search reflects a strategic approach: buying undervalued players with pedigree and hunger, all while building for the Premier League.

With just weeks to go until the new Championship season kicks off, Birmingham fans can now dare to believe: this might be the season it all comes together.