The January Transfer Window
We are 15 days, at the time of writing, into the January transfer window and to say it has been a rollercoaster of rumours, negativity and downright mystifying developments would be, well actually, a bit of an overstatement.
As this piece is being written, Lyndon Dykes has just been announced as a Charlton Athletic player, following the departure of Keshi Anderson by mutual consent roughly 24 hours earlier. It immediately raises the question of what exactly is going on at Birmingham City at the moment.
Current Transfer Links
The club has been linked with two potential signings so far. One is Jamie Roche of Lausanne-Sport, while the other is Danish striker August Priske, who appears to be a like-for-like replacement for Dykes. Priske is younger and, if statistics are to be believed, carries more of a goal threat. On paper, and judging by readily available YouTube highlight reels, he looks an intriguing prospect. However, judgement must be reserved until he is seen performing in English football. History shows that highlight packages can be misleading, with previous arrivals appearing far more dominant on video than in reality.
Jhon Solís is another player Birmingham City appear to be pushing hard to sign. Reports suggest a medical has been booked and that a fee is close to being agreed between Girona and Blues. He fits the profile of the type of player the club seems to be targeting, although whether his attributes translate to the physical and demanding nature of the Championship remains to be seen. For wider context on the structure and challenges of the mid-season market, the January transfer window often presents limited options and inflated prices.
Understanding the January Window
Returning to the earlier question of what is going on at Blues, this window feels fairly typical when viewed objectively.
Rumours
Rumours are plentiful. A glance at X suggests links to a vast number of players, many of whom appear speculative at best. Names such as Hamer and Sargent have surfaced, but while both would strengthen the squad, such moves appear unlikely. Similarly, despite previous discussion on our podcast, a move for Jack Harrison does not seem realistic. Further discussion on this topic can be found here: watch here.
Clearing ‘Deadwood’
The term “deadwood” feels harsh when applied to the departures of Dykes, Anderson and Cashin. All three have contributed moments during their time at the club. However, it is clear there is a broader plan to refresh the squad going into the second half of the season.
Panic Buying
January recruitment has historically been a mixed bag for Birmingham City. While there have been successes, there have also been signings that failed to make an impact. The hope is that any new arrivals can replicate the influence of past January signings during promotion-winning campaigns. For every Dugarry and Pandiani there’s an Emilio Nsue or a Jan Valery. January is often a time where teams begin to panic and let’s be hinest Blues have hardly bucked that trend, particularly when it comes to signings in the Championship, Scott Sinclair and Hamer Bouazza are good examples of signings that have worked and they were signed on loan in 2009!
Ultimately, patience is required. Fresh faces may be needed soon, but careful recruitment is preferable to short-term panic. A clearer picture will only emerge once the window closes.
Keep Right On