Birmingham City must sign ‘wonderful’ Championship free agent this summer, Tony Mowbray loved him

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Within the summer transfer window, the free agent market can prove fruitful for second tier sides to find proven operators at this level.

The summer transfer window is now in full swing following the Club World Cup break, and Championship business has been booming ahead of next season.

From the list of every Championship free agent this summer, there is some exceptional talent available in the market, of which a plethora of teams making up the 2025/26 Championship campaign should target.

The advantage here over the Premier League free agents market is the discrepancy in wage demands, which can increase on the player’s part as a result of the lack of transfer fee involved in any deal.

One Championship free agent has interest from Europe and the Saudi Pro League, but it’s clear that second tier sides should take a chance on the “wonderful” attacker this summer.

• READ MORE: It’s obvious Norwich City will achieve Championship play-off place in 2025/26 after ‘statement of intent’

Birmingham City must sign free agent Grady Diangana after West Brom release

Times are changing at West Brom this summer, both on the touchline and in the dressing room.

Ryan Mason was appointed by West Brom earlier this month in the wake of Tony Mowbray’s sacking as a result of missing out on a play-off place towards the end of last season.

Amid Mason’s arrival, three veteran players departed the Hawthorns following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, including Semi Ajayi, John Swift, and Grady Diangana.

West Brom fans were all in agreement over Ajayi’s departure, but the more polarising figure is versatile forward Diangana, who is the free agent in question that Championship clubs should target this summer.

The Congolese international arrived at the Hawthorns on loan from Premier League West Ham for the 2019/20 season, in which the winger scored eight goals and notched six assists to help the Baggies to top flight promotion.

Following that breakout season, West Brom shelled out £12m to sign Diangana permanently from the Hammers, and he then struggled to find consistency in output and performances until the arrival of Carlos Corberan.

Under the Spaniard in 2023/24, Diangana enjoyed his most productive campaign for the Baggies, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists, but was unable to rediscover that form last term, which has led to his exit.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Corberan’s Valencia, Mallorca and Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq have “approached” free agent Diangana following his Baggies exit.

However, his proven output at the Championship, ability to decide games with his technical qualities, and versatility in forward roles are all boxes that second tier recruitment teams search far and wide to tick, and are ones that Diangana can fill in abundance.

In terms of potential suitors, newly-promoted Birmingham City have been targeting options at right-wing, and are still waiting on Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi decision over a potential move.

Chris Davies’ side have also targeted Peterborough United starlet Kwame Poku throughout the summer, and Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony is now ‘worried’ Poku will join Rangers instead of Birmingham.

As a result of two deals over right-wingers faltering for the Blues, they should swoop to secure Diangana’s services, who would arrive with a glowing appraisal from a former Birmingham figure.

• READ MORE: Ryan Mason will surely love what a Premier League boss once said about ‘sublime’ West Brom target

What former Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray thought of Grady Diangana

Before former Birmingham and Baggies boss Mowbray was relieved of his duties at The Hawthorns, the EFL veteran head coach spoke of the qualities that the 27-year-old possesses.

As per the Express and Star, Mowbray said of Diangana: “I like footballers like Grady.

“I hear the stories that he was amazing when he first came, like, ‘Wow what a footballer who helped this team and dragged it up by himself almost to get promotion’.

“Then there’s the, ‘Oh he’s dipped off a bit, does he show the same love?’.

“I think he’s a wonderful football player, but he’s one who won’t be here next year. I just hope we get the recruitment right so we can have footballers who can take the place of a (Grady) Diangana and a (John) Swift and these footballers who want to play with the ball.”

After his years of management, Mowbray’s appraisal counts for a great deal in Diangana’s favour.

Despite his inconsistent form since his big-money move from West Ham, under the right guidance, there is still a high-quality second tier operator in Diangana that can be harnessed.

An experienced, versatile, productive forward akin to the former Baggies ace must be targeted by Championship clubs this summer, as on his day, he can be the difference-maker that can help shoulder the goalscoring burden at St Andrews.