Birmingham City are progressing in negotiations to sign Palermo left-back Kristoffer Lund, according to Danish outlet Bold. The move would address the void left by Kai Wagner, who departed St. Andrew's earlier this month to rejoin Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union.
Wagner's Departure and Current Options
Wagner signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Blues in January but made only 16 Championship appearances and two FA Cup outings before expressing a desire to return to the United States for personal reasons. His exit leaves manager John Eustace with two senior left-backs: Lee Buchanan and Alex Cochrane. However, Buchanan's ongoing injury issues have prompted the club to seek additional cover.
Lund's Profile and Recent Form
Lund joined Palermo in 2023 and spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side FC Koln, where he made 33 league appearances. Koln opted not to exercise their €3 million purchase clause, and the 24-year-old Dane has been deemed surplus to requirements at Palermo. Head coach Filippo Inzaghi has excluded Lund from his squad for pre-season friendlies against FC Ingolstadt and FC Nurnberg, signaling that the defender has no future with the Serie B club.
Deal Structure Under Discussion
It remains unclear whether the prospective transfer would be a permanent move or a loan arrangement. Bold reports that Birmingham and Palermo are actively working to find an agreement, with Lund keen to secure regular first-team football. Should the transfer materialize, Lund would join compatriot August Priske, who arrived from Djurgårdens IF in January, at St. Andrew's.
Impact on Squad Depth
The addition of Lund would provide Eustace with robust left-back options, alleviating concerns over Buchanan's fitness. With Cochrane also available, Blues would have three specialists for the position, allowing flexibility in defensive rotations. The Championship season is underway, and Birmingham are keen to finalize the deal before the transfer window closes to ensure squad stability.
