Looking to make quite the statement, Birmingham City have now reportedly made their first contact in an attempt to hijack Burnley’s move to sign a Dutch talent this summer.
Wagner ready to match Championship's best
After securing promotion back to the Championship in record-breaking fashion last season, Birmingham have their sights set on more than just surviving next season.
They’re keen to avoid the relegation battle altogether and perhaps even cause a great shock in the race for a playoff spot. That ambition isn’t without financial power, either.
The Blues famously splashed out as much as £20m to sign Jay Stansfield from Fulham last season in an unprecedented move in League One. Now, a year later, owner Tom Wagner has ensured fans that they will be doing everything to match the Championship’s very best.
The American recently told reporters: “Our goal is to generate as much revenue as (clubs with) parachute payments do but without having received parachute payments, so ultimately we want to be in a position where we don’t care how many parachute clubs there are because we’re generating the same level or more than they are.
“We look at ourselves and our own opportunity and not pay too much attention to others. If we do things right on our end it will work out just fine.”
Birmingham certainly don’t lack ambition these days and recent transfer rumours have reflected that. The Blues have been linked with Demarai Gray, who would be returning to the club for the first time since leaving as a young star, and could yet pull off a shock loan move to sign Louie Barry from Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
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They’re not the only names on their radar, either. Reports are now suggesting that those at St. Andrew’s have already made their first move in an attempt to hijack one of Burnley’s summer targets.
Birmingham express interest in Hansen
As reported by Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Birmingham have now expressed interest in signing Sontje Hansen from NEC Nijmegen this summer.
The Dutch winger has been the subject of interest from Burnley in recent weeks and the Clarets even reportedly saw a loan offer with an obligation to buy worth £3.5m knocked back by Nijmegen.
Allowing the Blues to move in, it remains to be seen whether they decide to lodge a more suitable offer to sign Hansen in the coming months and send a damming statement to clubs in Burnley’s position.
Since being described as “prolific” by scout Jacek Kulig at the start of his career, Hansen hasn’t quite hit the heights expected, but after scoring seven goals in all competitions last season, it’s clear that he’s still capable of providing a much-needed outlet. Dropping down from the Eredivisie to the Championship would certainly do him no harm in pursuit of his best form, either.
