With the conclusion of the regular EFL campaign, clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two are beginning to release their retained lists.

One club to do so in recent days was League One play-off semi-final losers Peterborough United, with some notable players released.

One of those was striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, who leaves the club after four years, during which time he racked up 189 appearances and scored 87 goals for Posh.

Jonson Clarke-Harris leaves Peterborough United

Speaking on his departure from the club, Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson told club media: "Jonson has been a great signing. He played such a pivotal role in us getting promoted, scored quite a few goals in the Championship and has made such a huge impact on what we have done in recent years,"

"Of course, at the start of this season, we felt he would be leaving twice, particularly the first window, but stayed and by that time I had made my mind up that I wanted to go in a different direction.

"It was difficult for him at times because he wants to play games, but he understood it and I have to say he has been fantastic in the dressing room, fantastic for me, he has been a real help because he has never caused a problem and I think we have a lot of respect for each other.

"I wish him all the best, I am sure he will get a good move and he deserves it. He will never be forgotten for what he did here."

Peterborough move should spark Birmingham City action

With Jonson Clarke-Harris now looking for a new club ahead of next season, arguably, Birmingham City should be sparked into action.

Recently, the Blues were relegated from the Championship, and there is no doubt that the club will be looking to bounce back to the second tier at the first time of asking.

Of course, whether or not they go on to achieve that will depend on their recruitment this summer, and bringing in a proven goalscorer at League One level and previous promotion winner would certainly do no harm.

Clarke-Harris has scored as many as 31 goals in this divisio previously in 2020/21, and also scored 26 times in 2022/23, which demonstrates just what a shrewd bit of business it could be for the Blues if they were to pick him up.

Birmingham City need added firepower

Now, of course, Birmingham City are yet to release their own retained list ahead of next season, but on the surface of it, they look as if they will need added firepower next season, making a move for Clarke-Harris even more logical.

At present, for example, forwards such as Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz are both due to see their contracts with the club expire at the end of June and to further compound this, loanee Jay Stansfield, who was excellent for the Blues in 2023/24, will now be returning to his parent club Fulham.

Following relegation, Blues could opt to offer Hogan and Jutkiewicz new contracts, but as yet, no such deals have been announced, and arguably, making a strong move for Clarke-Harris would be a better move, regardless.

Currently, next season's squad has only Tyler Roberts as a recognised striker, according to Transfermarkt, but even Roberts is arguably not an out-and-out centre-forward, but rather a forward that can play through the middle as well as out wide.

With all of the above in mind, a move for Clarke-Harris this summer would appear to make plenty of sense for Birmingham City this summer.

The club are certainly in need of added firepower, and bringing in a proven goalscorer at this level would certainly boost their chances of an immediate return to the Championship.