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One out-of-favour Southampton figure could be poised to join their Championship rivals, Birmingham City.
Birmingham City have been one of the biggest Championship players in the summer transfer window, and that shows no signs of faltering ahead of the deadline.
Birmingham are set to sign Patrick Roberts on loan from Sunderland as the winger has fallen down the pecking order under Regis Le Bris following the Black Cats’ Premier League promotion.
Despite the coup of signing Roberts, the Blues were stung later on deadline day after Birmingham missed out on Zak Vyner after Bristol City made it clear the defender was not for sale at any price.
Montpellier’s Becir Omeragic is on Birmingham’s list as the window nears conclusion, as is an out-of-favour figure at their Championship rivals, Southampton.
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Birmingham City target Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone
Since Will Still arrived at Southampton earlier in the summer, it has been expected that Will Smallbone will depart before the window slams shut.
Earlier in the window, after reports emerged that Wrexham had bid £7.5m for the central midfielder, Southampton fans were content with Smallbone’s exit.
However, with Wrexham’s interest in the Saints academy graduate failing to materialise, Birmingham are reportedly in for Smallbone.
Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail reports on X that ‘Birmingham are in for Smallbone’ following Wrexham’s £7.5m move, and that a “loan deal most likely at this stage” regarding the 25-year-old.
Smallbone has failed to make an appearance yet this season under Still with the midfielder currently sidelined with a calf injury.
As EFL Analysis exclusively revealed recently, Southampton had to sell players this summer, and a move in the region of £7.5m would likely be welcomed by the Saints, although a loan is “most likely”.
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Will Still’s Southampton predecessor hailed Will Smallbone as ‘wonderful’
Smallbone played an imperative role in the Southampton midfield during their promotion to the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring seven goals and notching four assists in 50 outings.
Unfortunately for Smallbone, his game time was reduced to just 18 Premier League appearances last season, but Still’s Saints predecessor Ivan Juric was a fan of the 13-capped Republic of Ireland international.
After Smallbone scored against Liverpool last season, Juric told the Daily Echo: “I like Will. He doesn’t have the physicality, maybe like a Premier League player, but he is clever.
“He knows good moments, he defends well with the ball, he is great. And even as a person, he is wonderful, he is great.”
Smallbone will be desperate for minutes this season to cement his international selection, and promotion-chasing Birmingham would offer a platform for him to rediscover his best form.