Birmingham City plot Mike Eerdhuijzen deal as transfer rebuild gathers pace

Birmingham City are interested in a deal to sign Dutch centre-back Mike Eerdhuijzen from Sparta Rotterdam, BirminghamLive understands.

Blues are looking to bolster their defensive options and Eerdhuijzen, 23, has emerged as an option. The 6ft 4in defender has spent the past two seasons with Rotterdam after joining them from FC Volendam.

He could now be set for a move to England with reputable Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claiming a €2.5 million (£2.1m) deal is in the works. That would raise funds for Rotterdam, whose striker Tobias Lauritsen has also popped up on Blues’ radar. A deal for Norwegian goal-getter Lauritsen would be more difficult for Blues to complete.

Eerdhuijzen, who is left-footed and has played 51 games for Rotterdam, was used sparingly during the first half of last season before forcing his way into the starting line-up in the New Year. Eerdhuijzen started Rotterdam’s final 16 Eredivisie games last term as they finished eighth.

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Blues currently only have one recognised central defender on their books in Dion Sanderson but Krystian Bielik has performed well at the back in recent months. Eerdhuijzen’s ability to play out from the left side would give manager Chris Davies a valuable option.

Davies enjoyed working with uber-talented Dutchman Micky van der Ven at Tottenham Hotspur last season. Not only is van der Ven one of the most imposing players in the Premier League, he is also one of the quickest and allows Spurs to play out from defence.

Blues have transformed their goalkeeping department with the acquisitions of Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell. A large number of outfield players still need to be signed to give Davies a balanced squad.