If reports are to be believed, Championship side Birmingham City are now weighing up a move for Preston North End forward Jordan Hugill as manager Harry Redknapp looks to add more attacking reinforcements this summer. The 25-year-old striker has been an important part for Preston last season and the club is unwilling to sell him at any price till they find a replacement.
Birmingham had reportedly tabled a bid for the forward before, something in the region of £2.5 million, which was rejected by Preston. However, the Lancashire club is expected to come back with a better bid for the player in the next few weeks before the season starts.
Following their horrible end to the Championship last season where the Blues managed to just scrape through the danger zone by two points, the side is trying to recover as fast as possible next season. Birmingham managed to collect just 53 points in the total of 46 games and Redknapp is determined to get the club back to their lost stature.
Among all the crisis areas that Birmingham needs to focus next season, attack remains their primary concern. The Blues could score only 45 goals last season in all games, which is the lowest for any side that managed not to get relegated. Clubs like Nottingham Forest that finished below Birmingham and were on same points with Blackburn Rovers, the last side to get relegated, scored 62 goals.
Hugill is very highly-rated in the Championship. He has scored 13 goals for the Lilywhites last season and apart from Birmingham, newly relegated side Sunderland’s boss Simon Grayson is also interested in getting him, who managed him in Preston last season. While Grayson would have an advantage if he is pursuing him, Redknapp has a big name in the Championship too.
And Redknapp is trying everything possible to bring him in. When asked about his interest in the striker, Redknapp didn’t hide his admiration for the player saying, “I like him. He’s quick, strong, powerful, raw, a handful. He’s a good player but he belongs to Preston.”
Hugill is an out and out centre forward, who excels in his first touches and finishing from in and around the box. Already having the likes of Che Adams, Jutkiewicz and Clayton Donaldson, Birmingham would be a sharp attacking side if Hugill arrives at St Andrew’s Stadium.
An academy product of non-league side Seaham Red Star, Hugill had a tough time getting up through the ranks of clubs like Consett AFC, Glenn Hoddle Academy, Whitby Town FC, Marske United, Port Vale FC and Gateshead FC before Preston bought him. It was followed by loan stints with Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United before he broke into their first team.
