Birmingham could make "outstanding" signing who'd be even better than Poku
da fazobetai： Birmingham City’s recent seasons in the Championship have involved the Blues just attempting to keep their heads above water.
da pinnacle： This all came to a depressing close at the end of the 2023/24 campaign when the West Midlands giants finally fell through the relegation trapdoor, after their three finishes leading up to his dismal season saw them slump to 17th, 18th, and 20th before they were put out of their misery.
Looking back, this was just the reset needed for the Blues to believe again, with this relegation also coming at around the same time the mega-rich Tom Wagner became owner of the fallen titans.
Now, after a record-breaking title success in League One, Birmingham will be aiming to swim and not sink on their second-tier return.
But, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Kwame Poku will line up for Chris Davies’ men when making this journey, irrespective of their long-term interest.
The Kwame Poku saga at Birmingham
It was first speculated back in the middle of April that Birmingham were keen on landing the Peterborough United ace, with journalist Graeme Bailey even suggesting that talks had already taken place for Poku to relocate to St. Andrew’s.
There has been no movement since, however, regardless of Poku’s name continuing to come up in Blues-related conversations, with GIVEMESPORT adding more fuel to the fire last month by stating Birmingham were one of a colossal 26 sides keeping tabs on the League One superstar.
With the calendar now reading June, Davies and Co. must be getting restless over whether a move to bring the 23-year-old to St. Andrew’s is actually feasible, especially with Premier League-bound Sunderland now allegedly in the intense race for his signature.
This could result in Birmingham switching up their priorities to land an equally as exciting attacker instead, with a bold argument to be made that their newer target is even better than the much-talked-about Ghanaian.
Birmingham's outstanding Poku alternative
After all, much like Poku, this new face being linked with a move to the on-the-rise giants has torn League One to shreds in recent times.
Indeed, GIVEMESPORT has recently revealed that Birmingham could be about to land Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry on a loan deal, regardless of any well-known hostilities between the two fierce rivals.
Any cross-city allegiances would be swiftly put to one side if Barry were to come in and take the Championship by storm like he managed in the league below with fellow loan employers Stoke City, with the audacious effort above just one of the many stunning strikes he registered donning Hatters blue.
He also shone for Stockport during their League Two promotion success the season before his third-tier explosion, meaning he is surely worthy of a shot in the second-tier now, with Barry a tricky customer to handle down either flank, much like Poku.
Barry’s L1 numbers for Stockport vs Poku (24/25)
Stat
Barry
Poku
Games played
23
27
Goals scored
15
12
Scoring frequency
120 mins
172 mins
Assists
2
8
Shots per game
3.1
2.4
Shots on target per game
1.6
0.9
Big chances missed
6
3
Big chances created
5
9
Stats by Sofascore
Staggeringly, despite all the hype and frenzy around Poku’s name at the moment, Barry would actually better the 23-year-old’s goal count this season in League One, even when playing five league games less.
On top of that, the “outstanding” Aston Villa youngster – as he’s been previously lauded by Villans great Gabby Agbonlahor – also lined up four times for Hull City last season in the Championship after his Edgeley Park spell was up, meaning he has had a more recent, yet brief crash course as to what the daunting level entails.
Unai Emery’s men won’t be writing off Barry as a future Villa Park star, but he needs to be handed more game time now as he just isn’t ready for the higher reaches of the Premier League.
Therefore, even if it’s Birmingham, this could be the best next destination for the spellbinding 21-year-old, with Davies’ men not turning their noses up at the prospect of landing the attacker whatsoever if a move for Poku remains stagnant.
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