Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has expressed his confidence in the club’s ability to retain midfielder Paik Seung-ho, despite ongoing speculation about his future during the summer transfer window.
After Birmingham’s relegation from the Championship, the summer saw a flurry of transfers at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, as Davies overhauled the squad. Backed by the ambitious board, the Blues spent around £24 million, including a record-breaking £15 million for Fulham striker Jay Stansfield, the largest transfer fee in League One history.
While departures like Jordan James, Juninho Bacuna, Alex Pritchard, Koji Miyoshi, and Siriki Dembele were expected following relegation, the club managed to hold onto key players like Paik Seung-ho. His retention has been pivotal, with the midfielder delivering standout performances early in the season, contributing to Birmingham’s rise to second place in League One with five consecutive victories.
**Chris Davies Issues Paik Seung-ho Transfer Claim**
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has addressed the speculation surrounding Paik Seung-ho’s future during the summer transfer window, expressing his confidence that the club would retain the talented midfielder.
Paik, who joined Birmingham from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in January, stood out during the latter half of last season, despite the club’s relegation from the Championship. His memorable goal in the Blues’ 1-0 victory over Norwich City on the final day of the campaign earned him praise, though it couldn’t save the team from dropping to League One. This left fans concerned about his potential departure.
Clubs such as Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers—managed by former Birmingham boss John Eustace—were linked with Paik, while bids were reportedly rejected on deadline day from Leeds United and Sheffield United. Despite strong interest, Paik remained at Birmingham.
Davies was unwavering in his belief that Paik would stay, stating, “There was definitely interest, but I was consistent all along that he was going to be a key player this season and in future years. He’s an excellent player and character, and in my mind, there was no real threat of losing him.”
The 27-year-old South Korean international has been integral to Birmingham’s strong start to the season, and Davies sees him as a key part of the club’s future plans.