Latest transfer news and rumours: Liverpool youngster joins Birmingham on loan, Balikwisha to Celtic, Cash to Nottingham Forest

Birmingham City have confirmed the loan signing of 19-year-old Liverpool winger Lewis Koumas.

The Championship club have recruited the Wales international for the 2025-26 season, with Blues targeting another successful campaign after cruising to the League One title last term.

"I’m really excited about it [the move] and looking forward to getting going," Koumas told Birmingham's official website.

"There was lots of interest, but just how big of a club this is, how passionate the fans are, the project that I’ve heard about and after speaking to the gaffer, there was no other way about it - I was coming to Birmingham.

"I want to be wanted by a manager, and I know he knows a lot about me. It’s always about developing and wanting to get better, but I’m also here to come and prove what I can do, score goals and get assists."

Koumas already has plenty of Championship experience after making 43 league appearances during last season's loan spell with Stoke City.

The Liverpool academy put pen to paper on a new contract at Anfield before he joined the Potters last summer.

Celtic stepping up Balikwisha pursuit

Meanwhile, Scottish champions Celtic are ramping up their efforts to sign Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that his team need more reinforcements before the summer transfer deadline.

The Hoops appear to view Antwerp's Balikwisha as a realistic target for the latter stages of the transfer window.

According to Football Insider, Celtic are stepping up talks with Antwerp for the former Belgium Under-21 international.

The Belgian side are said to be 'driving a hard bargain', but they are willing to let Balikwisha leave for the 'right price'.

Antwerp will know that this is their last chance to receive a meaningful fee for a player who is out of contract next summer.

However, the report claims that Celtic's pursuit could depend on whether they are successful in their bid to reach the Champions League league phase.

The Hoops face a tricky test in Kazakhstan next week after being held to a goalless draw in the first leg of their playoff tie against Kairat Almaty.

Nottingham eyeing Cash reunion

In the Premier League, Nottingham Forest have reportedly enquired about a move to bring Aston Villa defender Matty Cash back to the City Ground.

There may be uncertainty surrounding Nuno Espirito Santo's position after he admitted his relationship had changed with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

However, away from their managerial uncertainty, the Tricky Trees are still working to strengthen their squad before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

According to The Daily Mail, Forest have made an enquiry over a potential move to re-sign Cash from Aston Villa.

Forest are keen to recruit a new right-back to provide cover and competition to their current first-choice option Ola Aina.

The report states that negotiations are at an early stage, but Forest are also working on a deal for Sevilla full-back Jose Angel Carmona.

Cash made 141 competitive appearances during his time with Forest before leaving the City Ground for Aston Villa in the summer of 2020.