Birmingham City stand to make a healthy profit from Kai Wagner's impending return to Philadelphia Union. The German full-back, signed for around £2 million in the January transfer window, is set to leave after just six months at the club.
Wagner's Return to Philadelphia
Wagner is keen to return to Philadelphia for personal reasons, where he played for seven years before joining Blues. The Union have jumped at the chance to re-sign their all-time assist leader. According to reports, Blues will receive €4.5 million (£3.8 million), representing a sizable profit after only 17 appearances.
Reinvestment Opportunities
Blues will be able to reinvest that money during the current transfer window. Manager Chris Davies must decide whether signing a new left-back of similar profile to Wagner is a priority, given more obvious needs elsewhere. Blues already have two capable Championship left-backs in Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan, though they lack Wagner's attacking quality.
The club is lighter in forward areas, particularly up front. Davies fielded Demarai Gray as a centre-forward in Wednesday's friendly against Solihull Moors. Kyogo Furuhashi sat out alongside Wagner, casting doubt on his future, while Marvin Ducksch is injured.
Winger Search and Budget Flexibility
Blues also need at least one winger and hope to lure Ibrahim Osman back. Blues and Brighton have been poles apart on valuations, so the extra cash from Wagner's sale could help bridge that gap. It should give Davies more wriggle room in general in the transfer window.
Davies has stressed he must prioritise spending this summer after the club went big in previous windows. Selling a 29-year-old for a good profit is solid business, provided that money helps Blues emerge from this window stronger than they went in – and there is work to do to ensure that is the case.
