The 2023/24 Championship season is just over two weeks away from beginning, with Birmingham City getting their campaign underway with a trip to Swansea City.
The Blues managed to avoid any relegation drama last time out, and the aim for the club will be to improve on last season’s standings.
To do that, John Eustace will have planned for a strong summer of activity while retaining some of their better players.
The club has been unable to retain the services of Jobe Bellingham and Tahith Chong, but they have been able to add Siriki Dembele, Kevin Long, Krystian Bielik, Tyler Roberts, Koji Miyoshi, Ethan Laird, and Dion Sanderson.
However, their transfer business is not expected to stop there, and here, we have looked at all the latest transfer news involving Birmingham City.
Birmingham City remain interested in Auston Trusty
Arsenal defender Auston Trusty has emerged as a target for Ipswich Town in recent days, with the club having him on a list of potential summer targets.
Trusty spent last season on loan at Birmingham City, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award due to his impressive performances throughout the campaign.
But the defender has now returned to his parent club, Arsenal, with his future up in the air.
The Tractor Boys are interested in the young defender, but Birmingham also remain interested in re-signing Trusty this summer, as reported by Birmingham Live.
Trusty remains under contract at Arsenal, but it has been reported that the Gunners could be willing to listen to offers for the defender.
Birmingham City receive Hannibal Mejbri boost
Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri spent last season on loan at Birmingham City.
The midfielder became an important member of the Blues’ starting XI, featuring 41 times in all competitions.
Hannibal was a popular figure among the Birmingham faithful, and his pedigree showed throughout the campaign, as he finished with one goal and six assists.
The Tunisian returned to Man United at the end of last season and has featured in Manchester United’s two pre-season games so far.
The 20-year-old’s future at the club is yet to be decided, but according to The Athletic, a loan move back to the Championship hasn’t been ruled out, while neither has a permanent exit.
Birmingham contract talks with Keshi Anderson
Keshi Anderson has been on trial at Birmingham during pre-season and, according to Birmingham Live, the club are in talks over a contract to remain.
The 28-year-old is without a club this summer after he was released by Blackpool last month.
Anderson had been at Bloomfield Road since 2020, when he joined from Swindon Town, and in his three years at the club, he was a regular in the first team.
The forward has been training with the club for over two weeks now and has featured in three games for Birmingham during their pre-season.
The Blues played Northampton Town on Wednesday, and Anderson played 90 minutes of that game. That was after he featured in games against Solihull Moors and FC Cartagena.
This report from Birmingham Live, states that the club are now hoping to reach an agreement to sign the 28-year-old.
Birmingham make contact with Tennai Watson
Birmingham are one of three EFL sides that have made contact with defender Tennai Watson, as reported exclusively by Football League World.
The 26-year-old is without a club after leaving MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
Watson spent two years with the club after leaving Reading, and he could now be set for a return to the EFL, with Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic also making contact with the right-back along with the Blues.
Watson has only played four times in the Championship before, with the majority of his appearances coming in League One.
Troy Deeney and Dion Sanderson respond as Maxime Colin pens Birmingham City message
- Maxime Colin confirms his departure from Birmingham City after six years and 253 games played, expressing gratitude to the club, staff, players, and fans.
- Former teammates, such as Troy Deeney and Dion Sanderson, respond with messages of support and affection for Colin.
- John Eustace, Birmingham boss, expressed his desire for Colin to stay, praising his professionalism and performance on and off the pitch.
Maxime Colin has penned his farewell message to Birmingham City supporters after six years at St Andrew’s – with former teammates Troy Deeney and Dion Sanderson among the first to respond.
Colin has made more than 250 appearances for Blues since joining in a multi-million-pound deal from Brentford in August 2017 but leaves after his contract expired at the end of June.
Birmingham confirmed when they published their retained list in May that the Frenchman was on course to leave the club but given John Eustace had made it clear he was keen for the defender to stay on, there may well have been hope among parts of the fan base that new terms could be agreed to ensure that his time in the Second City didn’t have to come to an end.
Maxime Colin’s message to fans
But Colin has now confirmed that he will indeed be leaving the club this summer.
The 31-year-old has taken to Instagram to pen an emotionally charged message to all the club staff, his former teammates, and the fans.
He said: “After 6 years and 253 games with the club, it’s time for me to say Au revoir.
“It hasn’t always been an easy ride, but I’ve always given my everything for the blue shirt and have worn it with a lot of pride. The whole club showed resilience through the tough times and brighter days are ahead.
A massive thank you to all the staff, players and every member of Birmingham City for being a part of my journey during the different seasons. I’m very grateful to have met people I can now call friends.
“And last but not least, thanks to the fans for allowing me to be a part of this great club. The city has welcomed me and my family from day one and I will forever be grateful for that support.
“I’m taking beautiful memories away with me. I wish the very best for the club in the future and will always be a bluenose 💙💙”
Former Birmingham teammates respond
A number of Colin’s former teammates have been quick to respond to the Frenchman’s message, including Deeney, who left Blues himself in the summer.
He said: “Maxiiii 💙”
Sanderson, fresh off his permanent move back to St Andrew’s, has also had his say.
He replied: “Maxiiiii laddd❤️”
While there were also well wishes from others including…
Jeremie Bela: “🥺 you gone make me cry. All the best brother
What did John Eustace have to say about Maxime Colin’s future?
Colin’s departure is an interesting one given Eustace was clear that he wanted to keep the defender when asked about the situation in April.
The Blues boss told Birmingham Live: “He has been a magnificent player for us this season and over the years at Birmingham City. To reach 250 appearances is a fantastic achievement. He’s a true professional, he is a gentleman on and off the pitch, we have been really fortunate to have him at Birmingham over the course of the years.
“I would love him to stay, I am sure everyone would, I am sure that’s a decision he will have to make. From a professional point of view he has been different class. You can see his performances have been eight out of ten every week, he never lets you down and we could have done with a few more like him.”
