Club targets still in frame for window deal

BLUES are keen on rekindling their interest in several former transfer targets when the window opens in the summer.

Sources claim they still want to bring Kasey Palmer and Josh Maja to St Andrew’s having attempted to lure them in January.

The Post also understands Blues are still courting Alfie Mawson after Fulham knocked back their attempts to sign him.

They were linked with the central defender in the last window but the Craven Cottage outfit wanted to keep him to see out their promotion bid.

Marco Silva’s men have now sealed a return to the Premier League and Mawson is set to be out of contract at the end of the campaign and, with Blues in need of defensive options, there is a chance he could end up at St Andrew’s.

Palmer seems certain to leave Bristol City, although he has another year left on his contract. The attacking midfielder joined the Robins from Chelsea in 2019 since when he has scored eight times in 79 appearances. Like Mawson, he has not featured since January.

Maja, meanwhile, did swap clubs in January but opted for a loan to Stoke from parent club Bordeaux. The 23-year-old forward has scored twice in 17 games for the Potters.

Maja also has another year left on his contract, a deal he signed with the Ligue 1 outfit after he joined from

Sunderland in January 2019. Stoke have an option on a permanent transfer.

Blues have strikers Troy Deeney, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Scott Hogan under contract for next season, while centre-backs Nico Gordon, Marc Roberts and George Friend remain on the books.

Harlee Dean also has another year but has expressed his belief he will not return to Blues once his loan at Sheffield Wednesday expires.