Birmingham City have added yet another high-profile signing to their wishlist this summer.
The Blues look like they will be one of the busiest sides this window, having completed multiple deals already this summer.
They now look set to rival Championship clubs as they move on from one of their targets this summer and instead have identified their alternative.
Led by new manager Chris Davies, Burnley’s Scott Twine had become one of their targets to bring to St. Andrew’s as they look for an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s relegation. With clubs in the second tier having also looked at Styles, it appears they have moved on from their pursuit of Twine.
Birmingham City identify Barnsley man as an alternative.
According to Alan Nixon (paywall), the Blues have now chosen to target Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles as the alternative to Burnley’s Scott Twine.
The Hungarian international would be available for what is thought to be in the region of around £500,000 and does also have interest from the Championship. However, Chris Davies’ side have a large transfer budget for a League One club, with around £20 million available as part of their budget this summer.
With the club having already completed the signing of League One’s top scorer last season, Alfie May, it would appear that they are taking no chances when it comes to the possibility of missing out on promotion this upcoming campaign.
Birmingham City hand boost to two Championship clubs.
With the pursuit of Scott Twine seeming to be over for Birmingham City, it would appear that they have handed a boost to Bristol City and Sunderland in the second tier.
The Black Cats have been pursuing the signature of Twine, who spent time on loan at Bristol City last season. With the Blues’ failure to agree on a fee for the midfielder, they now turn their attention to Styles, who was on loan with the Black Cats last season from the Tykes.
Sunderland did have an option to take Styles on permanently but chose not to exercise that option as he returned to his parent club.
Would Styles be a better alternative for Birmingham City?
While Styles would be capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, he is primarily used on the left side of the pitch.
It would be an ambitious move for Birmingham, but given their financial stature this window, it is certainly one they can pull off with the budget they boast.
The midfielder has more experience in the Championship than in League One, meaning he would be a player playing below his level. The Blues are a club you would not expect to be in the third tier for long, especially with how they are spending money this summer, making this one a potentially easy sell for Styles to have Championship football again soon.
