Birmingham City are facing fresh Championship competition in their pursuit of Jay Stansfield, despite Premier League manager Marco Silva seemingly ruling out a departure.
The Blues were hopeful of bringing back the promising 21-year-old following a successful loan spell from parent club Fulham last season. However, following the club’s relegation it has been far more difficult to complete a deal, whilst clubs in the Championship also look to get in on the opportunity.
Stoke City had been credited with interest and now, according to Alan Nixon Blackburn Rovers have thrown their name into the mix. Whilst Birmingham may be able to outspend many of their competitors in the league above for permanent deals, loan signings may be more difficult to persuade with the club only able to offer League One football.
This has been a long running saga, with Football Insider claiming that a £6 Million price tag had been set on the forward’s head this summer.
Despite this, Fulham manager Marco Silva was particularly bullish in his desire to keep hold of the player.
“He’s going to be a player for Fulham and there’s nothing more to say. We can keep receiving approaches but our idea is to keep him and we are going to keep him in our squad.”
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Is this the end for Birmingham City’s Transfer Hope?
It likely had already ended. It had been reported that the club’s management were already looking at other targets and it is most likely now a case of “if the opportunity arises” rather than “actively pursuing”. With the level of competition, the desire for his parent club to keep hold and the finances required for a permanent deal, it is the kind of transfer saga that can sap time and resources very quickly and leave other areas neglected as the club chase a deal that is unlikely to come off.