Birmingham City will be looking to challenge much higher up the Championship table next term, whilst under the watchful eye of Lee Bowyer. 

The Blues endured a frustrating league campaign last term, as they finished 18th in the second-tier standings, in what was a forgetful season for the club's supporters to witness.

We've already seen Bowyer add to his squad ahead of the new league campaign, which is set to get underway on Saturday 7th August.

Birmingham are set to take on Sheffield United in their opening match of the 2021/22 season, in what is likely to be a tricky test up against Slavisa Jokanovic's side at Bramall Lane.

The likes of Chuks Aneke, Ryan Woods and Tahith Chong are just some of the players to arrive at St. Andrew's this summer, and it remains to be seen as to whether they're done with new arrivals just yet.

We take a look at the latest transfer news surrounding Birmingham City in the last week, as they prepare for the new Championship season.

Blues enter race to sign Premier League midfielder 

Birmingham City have joined Barnsley in the race to sign Burnley midfielder Josh Benson, according to a recent report from The Athletic. 

The report claims that Luton Town and Millwall are also believed to be keen on striking a deal to land Benson's signature this summer on a permanent basis.

Benson has made 12 appearances in total for the Burnley first-team, but it remains to be seen as to whether he'll feature for them next term.

Journalist Alan Nixon previously revealed that Barnsley had tabled an offer of £650,000 for Benson, but it seems as though they'll now be joined by a number of Championship teams in the race to sign him ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Goalkeeper departs 

The Blues have confirmed that they have reached an agreement to mutually terminate Andrés Prieto's contract ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The shot-stopper first signed for Birmingham City back in the summer of 2020, but found regular game time with the Championship side hard to come by, making just two appearances in total for Lee Bowyer's side.

Prieto had previously been on the books with Real Madrid as a youngster, before having spells with the likes of Espanyol and Leganes in recent years.

Defender close to St. Andrew's arrival 

Birmingham City are seemingly close to sealing a deal to sign Wolves defender Dion Sanderson on loan ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, according to Birmingham Live.

Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Radio West Midlands (quotes sourced via Birmingham Live), Blues boss Lee Bowyer confirmed that he's hopeful of getting the deal over the line in the near future.

"We are hoping that will get done soon. It’s something that I think has been agreed but he is just coming back from an injury so we are just making sure everything is right on the medical side of things.

"I don’t think there’s any problems, it’s just a matter of time, another good addition to the squad.

"He defends properly and when I say properly, he marks, he puts his body on the line and is comfortable on the ball - another one that ticks all the boxes."