Birmingham City and Stoke City are competing to sign Ollie Dewsbury, an 18-year-old Wales youth international and Bristol City forward, amid previous interest from Premier League outfits like Arsenal and Everton. With the summer transfer window still open, the Championship duo are looking to add Dewsbury to their squads, as they aim to improve their attacking options.
What's the background on Ollie Dewsbury?
Dewsbury joined Bristol Rovers' academy at the age of seven and made his senior debut for the club aged just 15 years and 255 days, becoming the second-youngest player in the club's history. Since then, the forward has made 22 first-team appearances for the Gasheads, but has yet to register a direct goal contribution.
Why are Birmingham City and Stoke City interested?
Although Dewsbury lacks experience of regular professional football, at just 18, he has already amassed nearly 50 first-team appearances combined in spells with Bristol Rovers and Weston-super-Mare. A regular in the Wales youth setup, Dewsbury has caught the eye of scouts for his performances at youth level, capable of playing anywhere across the final third. Birmingham City, who finished 10th in the Championship last season with 64 points from 46 games, are looking to bolster their attack after a recent form of DWWDW, and Dewsbury presents an exciting opportunity for them to develop a young talent. With 57 goals scored and 56 conceded, the Blues have a positive goal difference, but are still 31 points behind leaders Coventry.
What's next for Ollie Dewsbury?
As Birmingham City and Stoke City monitor Dewsbury's situation, there is every chance he could be on the move to the Championship in the next week or so. With no fee or asking price reported yet, Dewsbury presents high upside and little risk, and if he can develop into a regular in the EFL, Birmingham City and Stoke will have already made their money back and then some. Birmingham City are also looking to make additions in their attacking ranks for the first-team before the end of the window, having shown interest in Joe Gelhardt before his permanent switch to Hull City, whilst Sporting Gijon's Cesar Gelabert is also a player that has been touted with a move to St Andrews before the window slams shut. As the summer deadline approaches, Birmingham City and Stoke City will be looking to finalize their squads, and the signing of Ollie Dewsbury could be a key move in their pursuit of success in the Championship
