Torino forward Che Adams has been linked with a sensational return to newly promoted Birmingham City, as the club looks to build on their League One title and push for a Premier League place.
The 28-year-old Scotland international last featured for the Blues in 2019, scoring 38 goals in 123 appearances across all competitions.
Birmingham City will need to table a significant offer to tempt Adams away from Serie A side Torino, who signed him on a free from Southampton in the Summer of 2024. The striker has scored 10 goals and contributed four assists in 34 games for the Italian club, where he still has two years left on his deal.
However, a return to St Andrew’s could be possible if the Blues, who are part-owned by Tom Brady, offer a lucrative contract and a long-term project.
Despite dropping from top-flight football, Adams may be attracted by the promise of another promotion challenge, a city he knows well, and regular first-team football.
A blockbuster move like this would mark Birmingham City’s American owners‘ intent to continue their record-breaking success in the Midlands. The Blues are on track to beat the record points total in League One and are seemingly in a race to the Premier League with fellow American-owned Wrexham, who will also play in the Championship next year.
Can Che Adams fire Birmingham City back into the Premier League?
Adams is a proven entity in the EFL Championship, having scored 49 goals in his 156 appearances in the division.
In fact, during his first spell with Birmingham City, he achieved his best scoring season in 2018/19 with 22 goals in 46 games. This won him a hat-trick of accolades with the club, including Birmingham City Supporters’ Player of the Season, Birmingham City Players’ Player of the Season and Birmingham City Goal of the Season.
He has also proven himself in the English top-flight with Southampton, whom he joined from Birmingham in 2019. With the Saints, he managed 38 goals and assists in the Premier League before their 2023 relegation. However, his 15 goals in the Championship the next season helped them bounce back via the playoffs before he joined Torino.
The Scottish international has also made 33 appearances for his national side, scoring six goals and representing the Scots at Euro 2024 in Germany. He started all three of Scotland’s games as they bowed out in the group stage with just one point.
Adams has clearly proven himself at the top-flight and would be a big name signing for newly-promoted Birmingham City in the Championship next year.