Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has revealed the club's move for Swedish-based attacker Abdoulie Manneh has collapsed, forcing a renewed search for attacking talent in the January transfer window.
Deal for Mjallby forward falls through
The Blues had been closing in on a deal for the 21-year-old Mjallby player earlier this week, but the transfer ultimately failed to reach completion. Davies confirmed the breakdown, stating the club had done its part in identifying the talent but external factors prevented the move.
"From our side, the deal couldn’t get over the line," Davies said. "We obviously identified the boy and everything else, then it’s up to the club, the agent and everyone else to get the deal done and it wasn’t to be on this occasion. We wish him well for his future."
Active search for replacements continues
With the departure of forwards Lyndon Dykes and Keshi Anderson, Davies is adamant that strengthening his attacking options remains a priority. The manager indicated he is looking at several players to add firepower, whether they operate out wide or through the middle.
"With that position, with Keshi going, you are looking for someone to come in and replace that in the squad. That would definitely be one," Davies explained. "I think another forward player would also be useful to give us more firepower... We’re looking at options there and I’ve identified a few players."
In other transfer business, the club is expectant that a deal for Jhon Solis from Girona will be completed. However, hopes of signing August Priske are described as more tentative due to intense competition from other clubs.
Davies targets physical improvement
Beyond simply adding numbers, the Birmingham boss has a clear vision for the type of player he wants to bring in. He emphasised the need to enhance the squad's physicality to better cope with the rigours of the Championship.
"We want to improve the physicality of the squad," Davies stated. "We see how physical and demanding the Championship is and that’s an area we have looked to identify and hopefully we can see that with the players coming in."
He also confirmed the need to address the defence following Eiran Cashin's return to his parent club, marking another area for potential reinforcement. While refusing to put a specific number on required signings, Davies is clear the window is an opportunity to emerge with a stronger group.
"I wouldn’t put a number on it but a few players is what we need to strengthen the squad," he concluded. "We want to come out of it a better squad and team than we looked going in and I’m hopeful we can do that."
