With the transfers Birmingham City have completed and those reportedly in progress, it’s no wonder they are one of the favorites to win League One. The Blues’ ambition to dominate the competition and return to the Championship is exemplified by the signing of Alfie May, last season’s top scorer in the third tier. This addition boosts a City team that arguably shouldn’t have been relegated in the first place.
Additionally, Birmingham recently secured the signing of Hearts left-back Alex Cochrane in a deal reportedly worth £1 million. While this sum would constitute the majority of the budget for most teams in the division, Birmingham City has reportedly provided first-time manager Chris Davies with a £20 million budget.
However, their transfer activities are far from over. With preparations underway for their first game of the season against Reading FC, more deals are expected before the 2024/25 League One campaign kicks off in less than a month. Here are two deals that Birmingham City is expected to complete:
**Marc Leonard signs**
Midfielders have been consistently linked with Davies’ side throughout the summer window. One standout target is Marc Leonard, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Scottish center-mid, who was exceptional for Northampton Town last season. Recognized as one of the best young players in League One, alongside talents like Ronnie Edwards and Harrison Burrows, Leonard has been a top target for Birmingham.
David Anderson of The Mirror reported at the start of the month that City is closing in on a deal for Leonard worth £450,000. Although there have been delays, it would be surprising if the 22-year-old wasn’t playing for Birmingham come the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
**Jordan James moves on**
In addition to Leonard, Birmingham has been linked with other midfielders such as Cardiff City’s Andy Rinomhota and Stoke City’s Josh Laurent. This interest likely signals a potential departure for the highly-regarded Jordan James.
James has attracted attention from several Italian teams over the past few transfer windows. Gazzetta reported that Atalanta has been targeting James since last summer, and they remain interested, hoping Birmingham’s relegation will reduce their £10 million valuation. Bologna, who have qualified for the Champions League alongside Atalanta, are also monitoring James, according to Tutto Mercato.
While Birmingham isn’t desperate for the money, they may eventually need to accommodate the player’s wishes if he decides to pursue one of the opportunities in front of him.