‘Player open to the move’ – Birmingham City and Sunderland lock horns to sign £4m-rated Championship gem.
The latest transfer news as Birmingham City and Sunderland compete for the same midfielder. Birmingham City have reportedly joined the fight to acquire Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze, but they face competition from two Premier League clubs.
Despite winning the League One title in world-record time, the Blues are looking to enhance their squad in most areas ahead of next season. Chris Davies’ side is aiming to make an immediate impact in the Championship, with a top-six finish offering a chance of promotion to the top flight.
Birmingham’s midfield was one of its stronger areas last season, with Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho forming a powerful tandem, but no position is exempt from the club’s aim to improve wherever feasible. In this situation, the Blues are apparently looking to sign a midfielder.
Birmingham challenge Sunderland to midfielder signing
Birmingham are apparently interested in signing Watford’s Chakvetadze, according to our sister site, the Sunderland Echo. This transfer may immediately damage one of their Championship opponents.
Burnley are reported to be the favourites to sign the midfielder, with Sunderland also interested, but the Blues are hoping to outbid the two Premier League sides. Chakvetadze, a 37-time Georgia international, has sparked significant transfer speculation following a victorious Euro 2024 and a standout 2024/25 season in the Championship. Last season, the 25-year-old made 39 appearances for Watford in the second division, scoring two goals and giving six assists.
Comfortable in central midfield or operating from either flank, the creative playmaker is known for his distinctive on-pitch style, regularly turning out with his socks rolled down to his ankles. Chakvetadze has enjoyed his time at Watford since joining from Gent in February 2024 but the report from the Sunderland Echo suggests he’d be open to leaving Vicarage Road for a better opportunity elsewhere.
Burnley and Sunderland are obviously appealing destinations because to their Premier League status, but Chakvetadze has stated that he would contemplate another Championship move if the club was ambitious enough. Birmingham, which hopes to be in the top flight over the next couple of seasons, certainly fits the criteria.
How would Chakvetadze fit in at Birmingham?
It would be difficult to replace Iwata or Paik in the Blues’ midfield, but Chakvetadze is a top player who would be expecting for guaranteed starts if he chose to leave Burnley and Sunderland for St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
Chakvetadze may theoretically play at number 10, but it would involve benching either Willum Willumsson or Keshi Anderson. These are the types of challenges that head coach Davies will relish, as they indicate that he has the depth to fight with the best in the division. Phil Neumann is the only signing so far this window, but many more are expected to come through, and Chakvetadze could be among them.
It remains to be seen how much Watford would need to give to sell their number eight, but his current market value, according to Transfermarkt, is around £4 million. Would you like to see the Blues sign Chakvetadze at that price? Please let us know in the comments below.
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