Birmingham City can leapfrog Olympiakos in £7m transfer battle for brilliant La Liga ace

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It is a real sign of the times at Birmingham City when the Championship newcomers find themselves holding an advantage over Olympiakos in pursuit of one of the most influential forwards in La Liga.

How times have changed.

According to reports, some of the best wages in England’s second tier will be on offer at St Andrews.

Backed by ambitious American Tom Wagner, Birmingham can allegedly offer up to £30,000-a-week to their top transfer targets. Transfer targets which, if recent rumours are to be believed, include Celtic icon Kyogo Furuhashi.

Reports suggesting that Rennes’ £10m Japan Kyogo could join Chris Davies’ side certainly got fans talking, jealousy seeping through in a lime-green haze.

Deportivo Alaves speedster Carlos Vicente certainly lacks Kyogo Furuhashi’s star power.

But, with EFL Analysis exclusively reporting that Birmingham City are interested in one of the breakout talents of Spanish football, Vicente would undoubtedly come to represent another statement of intent from a club determined to end their long absence from England’s elite.

Olympiakos talks stall as Birmingham City eye Alaves talisman Carlos Vicente

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey confirmed this month that Birmingham have joined Nottingham Forest and Besiktas in chasing Carlos Vicente.

Olympiakos, too.

And while Birmingham are far from favourites at this stage, Carlos Vicente has made no secret of his desire to test himself on English shores. A starring role at St Andrews may appeal to him more than a spot in a crowded Nottingham Forest squad, meanwhile, particularly with Wagner pledging to bring Premier League football back to the blue side of the Second City.

As for Olympiakos, Greek publication Gazzetta claim that the 2024 Europa Conference League winners have been in discussions with Alaves for the last two weeks, only for talks to stall recently.

Alaves, Gazzetta say, are reluctant to budge on a price-tag in the region of £7 million. A price-tag which seems a little too rich for Olympiakos’ blood.

Jay Stansfield is Birmingham City’s current record signing, and things are likely to remain that way too. But, if Olympiakos cannot climb to the heights asked of them by Alaves, this may be all the encouragement Wagner and co need to step up the chase of another marquee, headline-grabbing arrival.

Vicente is keen to play in the Premier League after La Liga success

Further funds will be made available by Jobe Bellingham’s £25 million switch from Sunderland to Borussia Dortmund. Birmingham included a 15 percent sell-on clause in Bellingham’s contract when they sold the midfielder to the Black Cats in 2023.

“I’m a physical player with stamina,” Vicente told The Athletic in April towards the end of a campaign in which he provided five goals and five assists to save Alaves from relegation.

“I have the ability to generate things with a dribble but I’m disciplined for my team, too. I’ve always been a winger and I’ve played as an attacker. But thanks to my physical ability, I can hold up well in a wide position.

“I think I can adapt as a full-back, too. The style of play I have now is not the one I had when I was younger, when I looked at Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

“I watch Premier League games and I’m a profile that is seen and liked there. It tends to be a much more physical competition than here [in Spain]. It is clear that the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.

“It’s very attractive.”

In addition to Vicente, Birmingham are looking at NEC Nijmegen winger Sontje Hansen.

Go Ahead Eagles ‘assist king’ Oliver Antman is one to watch as well. Birmingham signed Willum Willumsson from the Eredivisie outfit just last summer.