Storer exit leaves Solanke shaped hole

I’m led to believe, by a source well connected to Birmingham City, that Gianfranco Zola is closer to a first signing than he let’s on.

While I don’t claim to know the identity of the player in question, I have tried to put two and two together and hopefully end up with four!

The Italian is quite rightly keeping his cards close to his chest.

It was announced two days ago that Jack Storer would be heading to Yeovil Town on loan. That leaves Blues with two fit strikers – Lukas Jutkiewicz and Che Adams. The media are reporting quite heavily that Zola is keen on Chelsea youngster Dominik Solanke.

Thinking about it logically, such a move would make perfect sense. Zola wants more firepower and more options in forward areas yet let’s Storer leave temporarily and confirms that Alex Jones will likely stay out on loan. He must have irons in the fire.

I’m told that Solanke is in a ‘number of players being considered’. I’m also told that David Nugent was another name mentioned, but that is likely to be a non-starter.

With Zola’s standing at Chelsea, with whom he still has a good relationship, Solanke is a real possibility. He’s young, quick and a very good footballer, albeit slightly raw. The loan deal means Blues won’t have to fork out a great deal on money to bring him in. It’s a no brainer.