Two new signings worth £23.4 million could join Birmingham City this January if the transfer rumours are to be believed.
Birmingham have made a very strong start to the new season after spending over £20 million in the summer, meeting expectations at the top end of the League One standings.
Chris Davies’ men have lost just one of their 13 league outings so far, winning nine and drawing the other three. In second place and just two points behind Wycombe Wanderers with a game in hand, Blues are in a strong position to seal promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
It’s not going to be easy to seal a top-two finish, though, and every member of the new-look squad will need to be utilised throughout this season. More fresh faces could be brought in this winter to ensure Blues are promoted and are future-proofed for many years to come.
With the next transfer window now less than two months away, transfer speculation is ramping up once again. The list of players linked with Birmingham is in turn growing so that’s made us here at BirminghamWorld wonder, how could Davies’ starting XI look if the rumours come true?
Birmingham City’s potential new XI after January transfers
Ryan Allsop: The boyhood Bluenose was patient at the beginning of the season to wait for his chance and he’s done so, moving ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the goalkeeping pecking order.
Ethan Laird: Formerly of Manchester United, Laird definitely has the quality to remain Blues’ first-choice right-back for many years to come. He can leave a lot to be desired with his deliveries into the box sometimes, but it’s an aspect of his game he can work on.
Phil Neumann: Football Insider reports Blues are readying a new bid for Neumann after seeing a £3.4 million offer rejected in the summer. The German, currently challenging for the Bundesliga 2 title with Hannover 96, would challenge Christoph Klarer for a spot in the starting XI if he were to join Blues.
Krystian Bielik: Blues’ new captain has been a rock at the back this season and he was dearly missed during his recent injury absence. Bielik is without doubt the core of this team for the long-term and he’s bound to remain the skipper for as long as he’s at the football club.
Alex Cochrane: Nobody is shifting the Brighton & Hove Albion academy product out of the side after his terrific start to his Blues career, probably not even Lee Buchanan when he eventually returns from injury. Cochrane can defend well and he’s one of the best crossers in the squad.
Tomoki Iwata: The Japan international has been a better signing than anyone could’ve expected, so much so that he’s knocked Marc Leonard down to the bench for the foreseeable. Iwata is a great passer of the ball and he’s already scored several goals from outside the box.
Paik Seung-ho: A perfect counterpart for Iwata, the South Korean recently signed a contract extension to keep him at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park until June 2028. This could be a midfield partnership all the way up to the Premier League if Blues’ progression continues at the current rate.
Chris Rigg: Blues are targeting an audacious swoop for Sunderland’s wonderkid, reports journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon. Valued at over £20 million, the League One transfer record would need to be broken again for Birmingham to secure the attacking midfielder.
Willum Willumsson: ‘Thor’ has settled in excellently since joining from Go Ahead Eagles for a £2.5 million fee. The 26-year-old, predominantly a right-sided attacking midfielder so far, has featured in all 13 League One games, contributing four goals and four assists.
Jay Stansfield: Levels above League One, Stansfield is living up to his hefty price tag and he will be a key player throughout Birmingham’s long-term project. The only conjecture is his best position, something manager Davies is still trying to ascertain.
Alfie May: Last season’s top scorer in the English third tier has carried on his fine work, scoring five goals and making three assists in 13 League One matches this term. May is still getting used to the odd benching but that’s to be expected with so much talent and depth in the squad.
