Chris Davies drops Birmingham City transfer update as Man City named in exciting claim | OneFootball

The Blues boss has admitted his excitement regarding the club's long-term vision

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies revealed the club's plans for a new 'Sports Quarter' complex was one of the main factors which enticed him to the club last June.

Despite it being the first season of Davies' career in senior management after being an understudy to the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou, the 40-year-old and his freshly-moulded squad have stormed League One this season, with plenty of exciting plans still to be realised in the not-too-distant future.

Blues owner Tom Wagner initially pledged his desire to build a 60,000-capacity stadium in April 2024 after acquiring the 48-acre Birmingham Wheels site for a reported £51m sum, before also buying 12 acres adjacent to the site as part of the £2-3bn plans which will see the east side of the city completely transformed.

And, with a record-breaking and memorable season almost concluded, the 40-year-old has also issued his outlook on planning ahead for life back in the Championship.

Chris Davies reveals excitement regarding Birmingham City, Sports Quarter plans

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant revealed that the regeneration of the Bordesley district as a result of the Sports Quarter project was a key attraction when moving to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park last summer, at a time when Blues' spiritual and current home was given a £15m makeover.

"I followed that closely, around the Sports Quarter, it was one of the attractions of coming to the club," Davies said. "There is a huge commitment from the owners about what they want to do in East Birmingham, building that Sports Quarter and everything that will generate - in the same way Manchester regenerated with Man City."

"It's very exciting. It's many years ahead, with a lot of this stuff, this is in the early stages of the planning, but to be a Birmingham City fan, it's a really exciting time. We've got owners who are committed to the club and ambitious and that's what every football club dreams of," he added.

It was revealed earlier in the week that Wagner had met with Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, to discuss the plans which will generate approximately 8,400 jobs, bringing mass investment and investment to one of Birmingham's most deprived areas and the West Midlands as a whole. Davies sung the praises of Wagner once more, but reaffirmed Bluenoses that behind-the-scenes movements aren't his main priority.

"We are very lucky to have owners like this, but my job is to keep fixed on the here and now, the next training session, the next game, the next week, that's what I'll do."

Chris Davies outlines Birmingham City transfer plan heading into Championship

After a record-breaking spending haul last summer as a result of Jay Stansfield's permanent move from Fulham, there has been plenty of attention on Birmingham throughout the season, with plenty of talk already generated regarding investment in the upcoming off-season.

Wagner recently stated that Blues would be "the highest revenue-generating club in the Championship ever not receiving parachute payments" if income streams continue as planned.

Phil Neumann and Taylor Gardner-Hickman will become permanent additions at the official start date of next season, whilst the American has hinted that the aforementioned club-record fee for Stansfield could be slashed this summer amid reports of a reunion with former striker, Che Adams.

Davies is aware of the challenge that lies in wait when it comes to strengthening further, but hopes that such ambitions will come to fruition.

"There are a lot of challenges within that," he continued. "We've got a good squad here, but we have to look at can we add to it, where can we add to it. There are always lots of moving parts to that. The main thing for me is that I want us to come out of the transfer window better than when we went in.

"We want to be competitive next season. As I said, this club has struggled a lot in the Championship in recent years, so can we be competitive and make our mark? We know it's such an unforgiving league, such a tough league, so many good players and teams, and managers all with similar ambitions, but we're looking forward to the challenge.

"I think our ultimate dream is to get to the Premier League, like so many in the Championship, but I wouldn't say that we have to go and get promoted straight away. It's such a challenging league, the Championship, I've experienced it before, I know all about it.

With plenty comparing Blues' prospects for next season with Ipswich Town, who achieved back-to-back promotions under the fellow highly-rated Kieran McKenna, Davies stated that his side must get to grips with the second-tier as quickly as possible before aiming to move forward as the campaign progresses.

"What we have got to be firstly is competitive, try and get a foothold in the league and then see where we are. There are a few teams who have done it like that [double promotion], but they're few and far between. We'll give it our best shot, but it's game by game and step by step like always," he concluded.

It was made clear by Wagner after the final home game of the season against Mansfield Town, that the first tick in the box for Blues' rebuild had been ticked off, but there is plenty more to look forward to.

Of course, the Championship is a completely different kettle of fish. But, Blues are approaching a season in the second-tier with a feeling of confidence and momentum that hasn't been seen in these parts for many a year, and it could prove to be a key factor as Knighthead target a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011 in double-quick time.

There has been plenty of discourse surrounding the new complex, and whilst that has been exciting for all Bluenoses and locals, many are now at a stage where they want less talk and more action. However, in the meantime, Davies will hope that his squad can continue to thrill those in B9 next season, having gone unbeaten at home in the league for 13 months.