Birmingham City enter the race for Premier League free agent, Derby County development is a boost for Chris Davies

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Despite their obvious financial backing, Birmingham City are still a dark horse in the race for promotion next season.

Experience is required at St. Andrew’s despite a record-breaking League One title win for Blues, and bringing in players who have a vast knowledge of both Championship and Premier League football is vital to their chances of a top six finish.

Jay Stansfield wants Birmingham to break their transfer record this summer, while Krystian Bielik is welcome to stay in the West Midlands if he so wishes.

However, there is now fresh interest in a defender who two second tier rivals have also been targeting, but Davies has a new advantage over one of those sides that he must exploit.

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Birmingham City join the hunt for Craig Dawson

Derby County and Wrexham have already shown interest in Craig Dawson, but according to Alan Nixon, Birmingham have now joined the race for the defender.

The 35-year-old is a free agent after his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract expired, and a move to the Championship looks set to be on the cards for the ex-West Ham United centre-back.

Dawson made 15 appearances for Wolves last season as they staved off relegation with an excellent end to the season.

Birmingham have already added Phil Neumann to their ranks, but with Grant Hanley now departed, they have been looking for another experienced head at the back for 2025/26.

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Derby County’s interest in Craig Dawson may have calmed

While the Rams will also be looking to add a bit more experience from the division above this summer, it has been reported by John Percy that they are closing in on a deal for Danny Batth.

The Blackburn Rovers defender is also out of contract, but with the connection that he has with John Eustace, he looks set to move to Pride Park.

Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see Derby cool their interest in Dawson with that veteran centre-back role filled by Batth.

This would allow Birmingham to move ahead of the Rams in this race, and a straight fight between themselves and Wrexham could unfold.