Fujimoto signs: How Birmingham City's dream July in the transfer window looks | OneFootball

FLW has looked at what a perfect July would look like at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park

Birmingham City have already made strong signals of intent in the early stages of the summer transfer window, and Chris Davies' side are expected to continue moving for a plethora of high-profile names between now and September 1st.

German centre-back Phil Neumann saw his pre-contract move from Hannover 96 made official alongside permanent deals for previous loanees Alfons Sampsted and Taylor Gardner-Hickman ahead of the season.

Since then, James Beadle and Tommy Doyle have since arrived on loan, Demarai Gray returned to his hometown club alongside the capture of Bright Osayi-Samuel on a free transfer, before the standout capture of Kyogo Furuhashi was confirmed, completing a run of five signings in as many days

With just under two months of the window remaining, much more transfer activity is expected to take place at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, as many have already tipped Blues to be among those mounting a promotion push from the Championship to the Premier League, straight off the back of a record-breaking season in League One.

Football League World has looked at what a successful month of July would look like in terms of incomings and outgoings in B9, with the opening night of the season against Ipswich Town just a few short weeks away.

In: Kanya Fujimoto

Another likely addition to the Japanese contingent at St Andrew's is Kanya Fujimoto, with it being reported that the versatile playmaker's move to St Andrew's was nearing completion alongside the stunning move for Kyogo from Rennes.

Fujimoto spent the last five seasons with Portugese side, Gil Vicente, but is now a free agent after his departure was confirmed at the end of June following a campaign which yielded five goals and six assists in 30 appearances for the top-flight side.

It was claimed earlier in the summer that fitness concerns could have put this deal in jeopardy, but it is clear that Fujimoto, when fully fit and raring to go, will add yet another exciting dimension to an already stacked creative force which is likely to put fear into several Championship defences from the get-go.

Out: Dion Sanderson

The first departure which makes sense for all parties comes in the form of Dion Sanderson, who would find it extremely challenging to oust either of Neumann, Christoph Klarer and Krystian Bielik as regular starters under Davies.

Sanderson impressed on loan from Wolves in his second loan switch across the West Midlands in 2022/23, but hasn't lived up to the £2m price tag parted with to secure his services permanently under John Eustace.

The centre-back was stripped of the captaincy during Blues' relegation season and struggled with injuries during the first half of last season which reduced his league minutes severely.

Sanderson then made just four starts in 12 appearances on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the second half of the season, having been recruited by Eustace prior to his switch to Derby County, although it remains to be seen whether the Rams will continue their pursuit of the defender after signing Danny Batth from the Ewood Park outfit.

Regardless, it makes complete sense for Birmingham to sanction a permanent deal to garner more funds and free up wages which can be spent in key areas of the pitch.

Out: Tyler Roberts

Another signing which hasn't worked out is that of Tyler Roberts, who was signed on a four-year contract two seasons ago, shortly after Knighthead completed their well-documented takeover.

However, the former Leeds United man made just 21 appearances in Royal Blue during the 2023/24 campaign, failing to score in that time before joining Northampton Town on a temporary basis last term.

Unfortunately for the Welsh international, it was a similar tale of frustration at Sixfields, as further injury issues limited his League One gametime to just 21 starts and 27 appearances overall, scoring just once against Leyton Orient.

Roberts will undoubtedly be filed under the 'mishap' category when it comes to transfer dealings, and a permanent move away from St Andrew's to somewhat reignite his career would be the most logical step for all involved.