Birmingham City are closing in on the signing of Middlesbrough defender George Friend, and the Blues fans are pretty pleased about it.
Reports are suggesting that a Blues deal for Friend is imminent and it looks like it could be a popular choice with the St Andrew's faithful.
Friend, 32, has made almost 300 appearances for Boro since arriving at the Riverside from Doncaster Rovers in 2012.
Capable of playing at left-back or centre-back, he was a key member of the Boro side that won promotion to the Premier League under Blues head coach Aitor Karanka in 2016.
Blues fans had this to say after the game:
Regan C-Jackson: Seeing Blues are linked with George Friend. Worked with him at Boro. Wicked left foot, whips in a mean cross. Also loves a full blooded tackled. Natural leader. Will give everything he has and will expect the same from everyone else. Solid signing if true. #bcfc
We’reBirminghamCity: Boro are shocked and gutted he’s turned down a contract offer. He wants to come to blues and it’s a big loss for them. Just goes to show that he’s highly regarded. Still got a few years in him as well.
Mick: always rated him and hes hardly over the hill yet lol. Left footed too which gives the team that important balance. If he was right footed i doubt he would be here, we have no solid left foot CBs. Karanka prob saw that straight away
Joe Merrell: Squad player and leadership quality in the dressing room yes if he is anywhere near that starting 11 thats a major concern. Sadly I don't think he is better than what we got. No way near Peds and Seddon is better option. What concerns me the most is he is a typical Warnock player yet he can't get near the team. If he is coming to play then we might as well have kept Grounds and I hated him!
Will Drew: Always rated him highly, perfect player for blues imo, like you said he gives everything and goes into tackles
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Jack: Considering we only had Gordon & Bajrami available as back up defenders post lockdown, George Friend coming in with his experience & ability to play as a centre half or left back can only be a good move from us I think.
Kris: Over the moon to have george friend signing for the blues, one of those players that will provide the cement between the bricks of pedersen, colin, dean and roberts. I think someone of friends standard will be pushing dean for the armband #bcfc
Karanka is keen to put his own mark on the squad he has inherited and confirmed at his unveiling on Friday he has already set out a criteria for new signings.
Friend has been offered a new contract to extend his eight-year stay at Boro having played every minute of the final nine games of the season following the Championship restart in June.
But Football Insider report the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player is set to reject that offer in favour of reuniting with Karanka at St Andrew's.
Blues have Kristian Pedersen and Steve Seddon to choose from at left-back but there could be interest in the former during the transfer window while the latter is wanted by Portsmouth after impressing on loan at Fratton Park.
Friend could also provide an option in the middle of defence, where Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts are short on competition now Jake Clarke-Salter has returned to Chelsea.
