Norwich City player features: 2 realistic signings Birmingham City should make before Feb 1st and why | OneFootball

With the January transfer window open for business, it has been a busy month so far at Birmingham City.

Defender Kevin Long has arrived on a permanent basis from Burnley and winger Reda Khadra completed a loan move from Brighton & Hove Albion, while striker Jonathan Leko has made the switch to Milton Keynes Dons.

However, John Eustace will likely be keen to add further reinforcements with his side’s form in decline. The Blues have lost their last four league games which has seen them drop down to 18th in the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone.

The addition of Khadra means that Eustace now has six loan players in his squad, meaning he may have to focus on permanent deals or he will be facing tough decisions on who to leave out of the 18 with only five loanees permitted. With the club experiencing well-documented financial restrictions, it could limit the business they are able to do.

Here are two realistic signings the Blues should make before the end of the window.

Jordan Hugill

One name linked with the Blues in recent days is Norwich City striker Jordan Hugill.

The 30-year-old is out of favour at Carrow Road and has not started a league game all season, making just eight league appearances and frequently being left out of the squad altogether.

Canaries head coach David Wagner has confirmed he will allow Hugill to leave this month and he has no shortage of suitors. Football Insider report that the Blues, Derby County and Rotherham United have all joined the race for his signature, while Reading have already submitted an offer.

Hugill would be an excellent signing for the Blues and with Scott Hogan, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Troy Deeney all struggling for consistency in front of goal, he would be a welcome addition.

He does have a good record in the second tier, having scored 12 for Preston North End in the 2016-17 season, 6 for Middlesbrough in 2018-19 and 13 for Queens Park Rangers in 2019-20, while he managed four during his stint at Cardiff City last campaign.

Hugill may not be the prolific goalscorer the Blues need, but he could be an affordable option who is more than capable when given an opportunity.

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Charlie Cresswell

The Blues have just completed the signing of Kevin Long and they have a number of good defensive options available such as Marc Roberts, Harlee Dean, Auston Trusty and Dion Sanderson.

But Long, Roberts and Dean are all over 30 and Trusty and Sanderson are both on loan, so perhaps Eustace could do with bringing in a long-term option on a permanent basis.

One player they could consider is Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell, whose loan at Millwall is set to be cut short.

The 20-year-old is and The Athletic have claimed that the Whites could be prepared to sanction a permanent exit.

Cresswell is a player with huge potential and he has already proven he can be a reliable performer in the Championship with the Lions.

However, Leeds are not likely to want to let Cresswell go for anything less than their valuation and the Blues could find themselves priced out of a move. But if their budget would allow a deal, this is one they should pursue.