Birmingham City are reportedly interested in striker Ike Ugbo from French side Troyes, but face competition from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
The Canadian international is attracting interest after an impressive spell in the latter half of the season on loan with The Owls. He linked up with the club in January and chipped in with seven goals and one assist in 19 appearances foe the second-tier side. Manager Danny Rohl wants to bring him back to Hillsborough, but is unwilling to meet the £4.5milluon price tag set by his patent club.
Ambitious League One side Birmingham City are also keen as they continue their big spending shopping spree. However, it is unlikely that the player would move to the third tier at this stage, according to Alan Nixon.
Ugbo began his career at Chelsea, progressing through their academy enjoying loan spells at Barnsley, MK Dons, Scunthorpe United, Roda FC and Cercle Brugge before departing the Premier League side for Genk on a permanent basis.
He then linked up with Troyes, initially on loan before making the deal permanent in 2022. Since then he has had loan spells with Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Can Big Spending Birmingham do it again?
The Blues have not been afraid to rival Championship clubs for signings this window and have already secured the talents of Alfie May, Willum Willumson, Emil Hansson and Marc Leonard amongst others who could all arguably have been playing in the second tier or higher.
However, this move may be a step beyond their reach. With Wednesday having already held a relationship with the player, if they are able to agree a fee, he will likely return to the Championship to extend his stay. However, if Birmingham are able to sweeten the deal and convince him to drop into the third tier once again, it could be another top quality attacking addition.
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