Birmingham's owners in-waiting expect to this week finalise a multi-million programme to re-fit St Andrews as they close in on taking control.
Ex-Gymshark chairman Paul Richardson and former Argentine striker Maxi Lopez paid a £1.5million deposit in July to buy-out Blues’ largest individual shareholder Vong Pech, who has a 21.64% stake.
It is part of a plan to takeover the whole club in the next two years for £36.5m from the present Far East regime. The duo are now just waiting on EFL approval - due next week - before officially taking control.
The pair, who assisted the club’s transfer business last month, are this week finalising a programme of works to restore the club’s ground. The detailed plans are set to be confirmed by the club in the next week in a bid to get the ground fully open for next season at a cost of more than £5m.
Currently Birmingham's Tilton and Kop stands need major work after sections were forced to close to fans since December 2020 because of safety concerns - reducing the ground's 29,409 capacity by a third.
Richardson and Lopez's deal for the club includes payments totalling £26.5m to complete 'stage one' of the takeover plus £10m for stage two. Then a further £10m promotion bonus if Championship Birmingham reach the Premier League by 2026.
Blues last week confirmed: “The club has welcomed them to the stadium and to matches, so they can build the foundations for a successful working relationship and collaborate in the coming years.”
Richardson and Lopez were last week pictured at the club’s training ground with new signings Hannibal Mejbri and Tahith Chong, age 22.
Blues were also hoping to land Chesterfield's Kabongo Tshimanga but he failed a medical due to a problem with an old injury and there wasn’t enough time to land a replacement. Tshimanga, 25, is the type of player Birmingham are now looking to sign instead of ageing stars.
The situation frustrated club officials who want lessons learned for the next window. Blues will then step up their attempts to reduce their wage bill which has a number of players on huge money in the second tier.
These include reserve keeper Neil Etheridge, 32, who is under contract until 2024 on £21,000-a-week and defender Harlee Dean,31, who was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday last term, who has 12 months left on £31,000-a-week.
Other stars who could be made available to leave are striker Scott Hogan,30, who has two years left on £22,000-a-week, Lukas Jutkiewicz, 33, on £15,000-a-week under 2024 and left-back George Friend, 34, who earns £8,000-a-week.
