Birmingham City are looking to strengthen their midfield as the January transfer window enters its latter stages.
Birmingham City are signalling serious intent this January, with director of football Craig Gardner and head coach Chris Davies receiving full backing from Knighthead chairman Tom Wagner to invest heavily.
The aim is clear: transform the Blues from mid-table regulars into genuine play-off contenders.
The club have already added four new arrivals this window.
Full-back Kai Wagner has made an instant impact, while Jhon Solis has brought strength and energy off the bench.
Ibrahim Osman caught the eye with an electric debut against Stoke, and August Priske showed flashes of his talent during a late cameo appearance.
Despite those additions, Birmingham are expected to bring in at least two more players, with 28-year-old Nigeria international Frank Onyeka emerging as a primary midfield target according to Birmingham World.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews recently confirmed that discussions have taken place with Onyeka, who is frustrated by his lack of regular game time.
“I know Frank is keen to play football more consistently than he has, and I completely understand that,” Andrews said.
According to BBC Sport, a fee in the region of £7–8 million could be enough to tempt Onyeka away from the Gtech Community Stadium before the window closes.
While it remains unclear whether Birmingham would meet that valuation with other targets under consideration, their interest is well established.
Birmingham are not alone in their interest. The Standard reports that Coventry City and Sheffield United are amongst the race for Onyeka’s signature.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side Augsburg, where he was a regular starter, but has been limited to just 88 minutes of Premier League action so far this campaign.
Fresh from four appearances for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, Onyeka is seeking a move where he can feel central to a project. Birmingham could offer that platform.
At 28 and in his prime, Onyeka would add much-needed physicality, ball-winning ability and Premier League experience to Davies’ midfield.
Comfortable operating across multiple central midfield roles, he offers tactical flexibility, energy in transition and composure under pressure.
His Champions League experience with FC Midtjylland further underlines the pedigree he could bring to a Birmingham side pushing for promotion.
With 18 months remaining on his Brentford contract, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether the Blues can fend off Championship rivals and secure a statement midfield signing.
