Birmingham City: Djurgården speak as August Priske transfer in process

Birmingham City’s attempt’s to sign August Priske only started a few days ago, but already it feels like there’s there’s something of a stalling process going on from the Swedish end of a potential transfer.

January 15th saw the beginning of the mini-saga. Priske is Danish and plays in the Swedish Allsvenskan, where he was top scorer last season, for Djurgårdens IF.

The first claims came from Denmark, subsequently it would be assumed that was from Priske’s camp. Those initial claims stated Birmingham City were close to securing a transfer for the 21-year-old.

Birmingham City swooping in for Priske was described as something of a transfer bomb for the Swedish market. The forward was presented as being on the verge of agreeing personal terms with the Championship club.

Birmingham City transfer rolling along

Over in Sweden, Priske left group training with Djurgårdens IF early on the same day.

Then on the 16th, the Swedish club had a friendly match scheduled against IF Brommapojkarna. As would be expected, Priske wasn’t involved in the match after missing training.

He did, however, attend and was jumped on by the local media. Despite his young age, the affable forward was able to bat away questions rather easily. He didn’t talk up a transfer and he didn’t talk one down.

Djurgårdens IF sporting director backed into corner… by himself

Another man talking throughout all of this has been Djurgårdens IF sports director Bosse Andersson. Ahead of his public words on the transfer, he’ll be aware he’s already backed himself into a corner.

In October, Andersson said Priske would probably be sold for more than the €20m Tottenham Hotspur paid for Lucas Bergvall.

“Yes, I’m completely convinced of that. Yes, he will beat Lucas Bergvall anyway. Otherwise, he will play in Djurgården in 2026. I think August Priske will go to a really big club.”

Birmingham City won’t be paying that and it’s unlikely anyone else will either this month. Those comments have repeatedly been brought up in Sweden this week. It’s added to the pressure for the Allsvenskan club and their sporting director specifically.

Andersson has now spoken again, although there appears little progress.

Asked about Priske leaving, and also Matias Siltanen’s transfer situation, he’s quoted by Fotbollskanalen as saying: “There is interest in Siltanen as well, but it is not as concrete as with Priske. With Priske there is something to decide on.”

Hopefully for Birmingham City that happens soon.