"We could do better" - Birmingham City urged to reconsider move for 29-year-old | OneFootball

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential signing of Las Palmas striker Oli McBurnie.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City are preparing for life back in the Championship after winning promotion from League One.

Birmingham stormed to the League One title last season as they accumulated a remarkable total of 111 points, which set a new EFL record, and they are expected to be one of the biggest spenders outside the Premier League this summer, with owner Tom Wagner revealing that the club will be targeting back-to-back promotions next term.

A host of high-profile arrivals are anticipated at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park over the coming months, and it seems the club have started working on potential targets, with journalist Alan Nixon claiming on Sunday that the Blues are set to make a lucrative offer to Las Palmas striker Oli McBurnie.

After a five-year spell at Sheffield United, McBurnie made the move to Spain with Las Palmas last summer, but his first season at the club ended in disappointment as his side were relegated from La Liga, and he did not get on the scoresheet as often as he would have liked.

However, despite his underwhelming form, Birmingham are not the only club chasing McBurnie this summer, with Hull City and Celta Vigo also reportedly keen, while Sheffield United and Swansea City are believed to be eyeing a reunion with the 29-year-old, who has exercised a release clause in his contract which will enable him to leave Las Palmas on a free transfer after their relegation.

Birmingham City doubts raised over potential Oli McBurnie signing

When asked for his thoughts on the potential arrival of McBurnie, FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore insisted that he would trust manager Chris Davies if he decides to press ahead with a move for the Las Palmas front man, but he admitted that he believes the Blues should set their sights higher this summer as they search for a new striker.

"In essence, we're going to have to improve most of our attacking output," Jason told FLW.

"I know we did well last season, but that was because of how good the team was.

"Oli McBurnie has played in the Premier League, he's played in La Liga, and he's miles better than Alfie May and Lyndon Dykes.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not overly thrilled by it, but, as I said a few times last season, I trust the club's recruitment.

"To be fair, it's a bit of a win-win situation as I'm fairly adamant there's a clause in his contract that he can go for free as his club got relegated, so I wouldn't mind it that much as a free transfer.

"However, I wouldn't like him to be the second striker.

"I would personally want to get someone else as well to go with McBurnie and Jay Stansfield if you're going to offload May and Dykes.

"He would be an okay recruit, I would not be upset by it.

"We can 100% do better than McBurnie, but that is going to cost a lot of money.

"I'm all for McBurnie on a free transfer, and if Chris Davies wants him, then I'll back him.

"Of course, we could do better, but I'd rather hold that money off and go and get a ridiculous winger."

Las Palmas form should be ringing Birmingham City, Oli McBurnie alarm bells

While Birmingham comfortably won the League One title last season, a lot of their victories came by a single-goal margin, so they do need to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer if they are to challenge for back-to-back promotions in the upcoming campaign.

McBurnie has proven himself to be a dangerous striker at Championship level previously, and he scored 13 goals in 38 games for Sheffield United as recently as the 2022-23 season, but his record at Las Palmas does not make for good reading, so the Blues would not be getting him in good form.

Of course, McBurnie would bring much more to the team than just goals, but Birmingham are in need of a prolific goalscorer ahead of their return to the Championship, and given their vast financial resources, they could perhaps find a more reliable number nine elsewhere.