Birmingham City learn Lewis O’Brien asking price as Championship rivals prepare to swoop in

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Birmingham City are just over a month away from making their official return to the Championship, and excitement is starting to build at St. Andrew’s.

Blues face Ipswich Town in their opening game of the season and the club’s Director of Football has issued a rallying cry ahead of the 2025/26 campaign

Birmingham were beaten by QPR to the signing of Kwame Poku, with the winger explaining why he chose to join the R’s soon after.

Chris Davies will be hoping that he can secure the signature of Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest. However, there is competition from across the Championship for the midfielder, and the Premier League side have now informed the chasing pack their asking price.

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Birmingham City and Championship rivals learn of Lewis O’Brien’s price tag

Jay Stansfield wants Birmingham to break their transfer record this summer, and supporters will eagerly be awaiting the next big-money move at St. Andrew’s.

That could be O’Brien, and Alan Nixon has now reported that Forest have an eight-figure asking price for the services of the ex-Huddersfield Town man.

Nixon said: “Nottingham Forest want a stunning £8m for Lewis O’Brien to cool the interest of Birmingham City, Southampton and Hull. Midfield runner O’Brien did well at Swansea City on loan last season but that has worked against him as Forest now want a big fee for him.

“O’Brien is in the last year of a miserable time at Forest and hoping for a full time exit but he may be left waiting because of the valuation. Hull have been in at £5m and may increase their offer to emerge as surprise winners in the chase.”

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Lewis O’Brien’s £8m asking price could be a stickler in any potential deal

O’Brien is open to a move to Hull, and this does give them an advantage in their pursuit of the midfielder, but Birmingham’s financial strength could see them overtake the Tigers in the transfer race.

The 26-year-old was excellent for Swansea City while on loan in the latter half of the 2024/25 season and this has only increased his pedigree heading into the summer transfer window.

Now, Birmingham have a decision to make on whether to proceed with a deal for the Nottingham Forest man or not. With Hull seemingly desperate for his signature, however, it could be a tough battle for Blues to win.