Birmingham City news: Big Chuba Akpom transfer twist, honest Kyogo update, Trevor Francis reveal | OneFootball

FLW brings you the latest news to come out of the Blues.

Birmingham City's summer transfer window is showing no signs of slowing down, as they look set to add another to their eight arrivals.

With the 25/26 season now less than a week away, Chris Davies' Blues capped off their pre-season with a win over Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

As every bluenose waits for the new campaign, FLW brings you the latest news to come out of St. Andrews.

Tractor Boys now want Chuba Akpom

Birmingham City successfully fought off a late challenge from Middlesbrough to seemingly secure the signing of Ajax striker Chuba Akpom, with the 29-year-old set to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move with an obligation to buy upon promotion.

However, newly-relegated Ipswich Town have reportedly made a very late approach to the striker's parent club - Ajax - in their own attempt at trying to steal Akpom from Blues.

It's understood that if more than one club agrees a deal with the Dutch giants, then it'll be up to the player to decide where he moves to.

Akpom scored 28 goals the last time he was in the second-tier - with Boro - in 22/23.

In the last two seasons combined, the Englishman has failed to net more than that prolific season at the Riverside - he's netted 26 goals at two different clubs, as he made a temporary move to Lille last season.

Davies admits he's not getting the best out of Kyogo

Chris Davies has acknowledged that Birmingham City haven't yet extracted the best from former Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi, after the Japanese striker was left out of the starting lineup against Nottingham Forest.

Davies said afterwards that more needs to be done by Kyogo's teammates to spot the runs he makes, before admitting, "It is all still new for Kyogo coming into a new country, a new league and a new team, but you could see quite clearly what qualities he does have with the movement and speed...

"and he's a very good finisher, although we haven't created too many chances for him in pre-season."

The 40-year-old's comments indicate that unlocking Kyogo's full potential remains, unsurprisingly, a work in progress. With a loan move for Akpom in the works, it could suggest that Davies will opt to play Kyogo elsewhere as he looks to get the best out of him.

Trevor Francis statue unveiled

Blues paid a touching tribute to their greatest-ever player with the unveiling of a bronze statue honouring Trevor Francis ahead of their pre-season game against Forest.

The statue, positioned outside the Kop reception at St. Andrews, captures Francis celebrating a goal - he was English football's first £1m player ever, when he moved to yesterday's opponents, Forest, in 1979.

Under Tom Wagner's ownership, the club have shown their ambition both on and off the pitch as they prepare for their return to the Championship. There's no doubt that the statue of Francis will add a special motivation for fans who'll be hoping this season is another that ends in promotion.