Birmingham City have not enjoyed the best of starts to the ongoing Championship season. Currently placed 13th in the table, they have bagged 22 points in 16 league games so far, registering 7 wins, 1 draw and 8 losses.
Having conceded 21 goals while scoring just 16, they have a goal difference of -5. As a result, they are placed where they are, despite being on par points with the likes of Hull City and Charlton Athletic, who are placed 11th and 12th respectively.
Manager Pep Clotet clearly has his work cut for him and the upcoming January transfer window will be pivotal for the club as well as the coach. There are certainly some areas which require reinforcements immediately and with that in mind, here are 2 players the Birmingham-based outfit must sign in the winter.
Gayle’s dominance as a striker in the Championship is undeniable. After firing the Magpies to the Premier League, he struggling in the top-flight and was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion last season. He thrived for the Baggies up front, scoring a whopping 24 goals in 41 appearances.
A permanent deal did not materialize, however, and he returned to his parent club. But since then, he has been struggling once again. Since Birmingham are facing an attacking crisis, they should consider signing the player after Birmingham Live recently reported that Newcastle are open to selling him.
And over the summer, reporter Brian Dick from the same publication had revealed on Twitter that Gayle moving to Birmingham at that point was “doubtful”. Hence, Clotet would be wise to revive interest in signing him.
As illustrated above, Birmingham have registered a negative goal difference already and there’s still the rest of the campaign ahead. If they are to transform their fortunes and aim to secure a playoff spot at the very least, they need proven goalscorers.
To that end, a move for Gavranovic, who currently plies his trade for Dinamo Zagreb, would be a step in the right direction. They were linked with a move for him over the summer, as per Birmingham Live, but he stayed put at his current club.
Having played for top-flight clubs across Switzerland, Germany and Croatia, the 22-time capped Swiss ace has all the tools needed to fire Birmingham City towards securing a playoff spot.