Birmingham City latest: Celtic transfer race, Callum Styles, Championship competition | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at all the latest news from St Andrew's as Birmingham City prepare for life in League One

Birmingham City are preparing for their first season in the third tier of English football in 30 years, but it's not all doom and gloom at St Andrew's.

Chris Davies' side have been busy in the transfer window, and they're set to have a hugely impressive side at their disposal when they get their League One campaign underway when they host Reading on the 10th August.

Winning an immediate promotion back to the Championship will be a non-negotiable for Birmingham City this season, and the club's American owners won't accept anything else.

It's set to be one of the most important seasons in recent history for Blues and with that in mind here is the latest news from St Andrew's.

Blues eye transfer swoop for Celtic defender

Birmingham City and Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard are interested in a move for Celtic defender Bosun Lawal, according to The Daily Record.

The 21-year-old has only made one first-team appearance for the Hoops, but he spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan in League One with Fleetwood Town, and he impressed, playing 42 games for The Fishermen, even chipping in with six goals, but was unable to help them avoid relegation to League Two.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international can also play in centre midfield, and Blues may just have an advantage over rivals when it comes to sealing a deal for the Celtic man.

Brendan Rodgers is currently Celtic boss, someone Davies knows well, having been his assistant manager at a number of clubs, not least Celtic, although that was before Lawal had joined the club.

Given the pair's relationship, you'd have thought that Birmingham City would be well-placed to sign the 21-year-old should Celtic choose to sanction an exit.

Birmingham join Championship duo in loan race

Birmingham City, Oxford United, and Luton Town are interested in sealing a loan move for Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston, according to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Scotsman joined Sturm Graz from Motherwell last summer, and he made 29 appearances for the Austrian outfit as they lifted both the Bundesliga and Austrian Cup last season.

The 20-year-old is also subject to interest from Danish outfit AGF Aarhus, so Birmingham are set to face competition if they're to have any chance of bringing him to St Andrew's this summer.

Blues had Cody Drameh on loan from Leeds United last season at right-back but will be looking for a new signing in that position following the end of his loan spell.

Birmingham City keen on Callum Styles

Birmingham City have joined the race to sign Barnsley's Callum Styles, according to Alan Nixon's Patreon.

The Hungarian international spent the second half of the season on loan in the Championship with Sunderland, but his move has not been made permanent yet, with Blues joining the race to secure his signature.

The versatile 24-year-old can play in a range of positions, and he started Hungary's 1-0 win over Scotland at the European Championships in centre-midfield, playing 61 minutes as his country crashed out despite the win.

With a wealth of Championship experience, coupled with League One experience at Barnsley, Styles would be an excellent signing for Davies' side, but they're set to face competition for the Hungary international.