Sources: Birmingham City agree to sign Brighton midfielder Richards
Birmingham City have agreed to sign Brighton midfielder Taylor Richards following a breakthrough in talks, Football Insider understands.
The 21-year-old is highly rated at Brighton and signed a new contract earlier this season.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Birmingham have moved to bring in Richards as a replacement for Australian Riley McGree following the end of his loan at St Andrew’s.
McGree scored two goals in 13 Championship games for the Midlands side before returning to parent club Charlotte FC this week.
Richards has made two Premier League appearances for Brighton this term in addition to two starts in the League Cup.
The former Man City youngster penned a new deal at the Amex Stadium in August 2021
His new terms keep him at the club until 2024.
The midfielder joined the Seagulls from the Premier League champions in July 2019 for a reported £2.5million.
Richards netted on his professional debut just one month later as Brighton were defeated by Aston Villa in the League Cup.
The Englishman was sent out on loan to Doncaster Rovers for the 2020/21 season.
He established himself as a virtual ever-present under Darren Moore and Andy Butler.
Richards netted 11 goals and registered five assists across 48 games in all competitions for the Rovers.
The former England under-17 international is now set to land another first-team role, this time with Lee Bowyer’s Birmingham side.
The Blues sit 18th in the Championship after winning just once in the last five games.
Birmingham are in FA Cup action against League One Plymouth on Saturday.
In other news, Birmingham tell defender he can leave on a January free transfer.