Birmingham City’s summer transfer window business is taking the Championship by storm, and that momentum could very well carry over into the 2025/26 campaign.
Following their record-breaking promotion from League One to the Championship last season, Birmingham City are on a mission this summer.
Birmingham owner Tom Wagner wants back-to-back promotions, and the American businessman has already made great strides to achieve that goal.
Before the window even began, EFL Analysis tipped the Blues for an instant promotion in our early 2025/26 Championship predictions, and the club are on course to achieve that given their early summer window business.
The Blues have added to their stellar summer dealings with the capture of Bright Osayi-Samuel from Fenerbahce, and EFL Analysis can reveal they beat several Premier League sides to his signature to send shockwaves down the second tier.
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty ImagesHow Birmingham City beat Premier League sides to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel
Birmingham signed Tommy Doyle earlier this week, in favour of a move to foes Wrexham, with the highly-coveted central midfielder admitting he signed as the Blues’ “ambition was difficult to turn down”.
Aside from Doyle, Birmingham have signed James Beadle on loan from Brighton, and have completed the signing of former winger Demarai Gray, although one Championship expert has questioned Birmingham’s Gray signing.
In a further coup for the Blues, it emerged on Friday that Birmingham are set to sign Kyogo Furuhashi as the former Celtic superstar has agreed personal terms on a £10m move from Rennes.
Before that came to light, Birmingham announced Osayi-Samuel’s signing, and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that the Blues beat a plethora of Premier League suitors to his signature, which has put their second tier rivals on high alert for next season.
EFL Analysis understands that Osayi-Samuel held talks with Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Wolves and West Ham before signing with Birmingham.
EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey explained: “I am told Osayi-Samuel was quite advanced with a number of Premier League clubs, the opportunity was there for him.
“But he is yet another player Birmingham have gone all in for. They sold him on the project, and I can’t tell you how impressive this deal is.”
The Blues are undoubtedly on course for promotion in the 2025/26 Championship campaign, with Osayi-Samuel the club’s latest coup, and we can also reveal that the club’s latest summer signings are striking fear into their divisional rivals.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesChampionship rivals are ‘blown away’ Birmingham City’s summer business
Birmingham were last in the top flight eight years ago, and that could very well change by the end of the 2025/26 season if the Blues maintain their outstanding summer transfer window business.
EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent Bailey further revealed: “I have spoken to a number of clubs at the top of Championship who are blown away by the business Birmingham are doing.
Bright Osayi-Samuel career statistics so far ahead of Birmingham City transfer, data as per Fotmob
“The anticipation was they would go for it this summer and make moves, but to get the likes of Demarai Gray and Osayi-Samuel is as good and better than anyone other side at this level.”
Before the summer, Blues owner Wagner admitted that Birmingham wanted an “aggressive” transfer window, and the club’s recent business has certainly fulfilled those claims.
With Birmingham improving in every department on the pitch, the Midlands outfit are on course to take the second tier by storm next season.