Birmingham City’s new manager, Gianfranco Zola, is certainly wasting no time in starting his January business and having already launched an inquiry for Craig Gardner, he is now said to be interested in Burton star, Jackson Irvine.
That is according to the Birmingham Mail, who have also reported that The Blues face stiff competition from fellow Championship sides, Derby County and Norwich City.
Irvine only joined The Brewers from Ross County at the beginning of this season – but his early season performances have already seen him catch the eye of established Championship clubs.
The Australian international, who has been capped seven times, is one of a number of players targeted by Zola as he aims to strengthen the engine room of his side.
Despite interest from various places, however, Burton boss Nigel Clough confirmed yesterday (4th) that they had received no contact in regards to the availability of the midfielder. He did, however, openly state that he was expecting interest before the window shuts at the end of the month.
Irvine has netted eight times for Burton so far this season and keeping hold of him will be a real boost to their survival chances. They currently sit just one place above the drop zone, in 22nd.
He was his current club’s record transfer deal when he first signed, so it would cost Birmingham a decent fee to gain his services. However, with Zola being promised funds to spend in the window – that doesn’t appear to be an issue for the club going forward.
