Blues Strengthen Squad with Permanent Signings and Loan Returns
Birmingham City have made measured progress in the transfer window this summer, with one new face through the door and two of last season’s loan players back for at least one more year. Centre back Dael Fry has joined from Middlesbrough, while Jhon Solis is the club’s other permanent signing after completing a full transfer from Girona. James Beadle is the latest to return, agreeing another season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chris Davies has seen Kai Wagner go in the other direction, returning to Philadelphia Union, while there is speculation surrounding several other first team players. Here’s a round-up of the latest Blues transfer rumours.
Goalkeeper Speculation Quelled by Beadle’s Arrival
Beadle’s arrival will probably put to bed the theory forwarded in El Desmarque that Blues were keen on Real Oviedo goalkeeper Aarón Escandell. The report cites a €5million release clause and even claims there has been contact between the parties as the 30-year-old enters the final season of his contract. However, having helped Oviedo to promotion in 2025, they finished bottom of La Liga 12 months on and Escandell has promised: “We will return Oviedo to La Liga, and I have that firmly in my sights, and I think it's the main objective.”
Former Blues No. 10 Alen Halilovic Set for Iran Move
Former Birmingham City No. 10 Alen Halilovic is set for yet another move. The play-maker is now a free agent but is reportedly on the brink of a transfer to Iranian outfit Persepolis. The Tehran Times has reported Persepolis ‘are closing in’ on the Croatian ahead of the 2026/27 Persian Gulf Professional League campaign. Halilovic had one part season at Blues during the chaotic tenure of Aitor Karanka during which time he flashed the brilliance that once took him to the Barcelona academy but not the consistency needed to fulfil his potential. Lee Bowyer even offered Halilovic a new contract in 2021 but he moved to Reading, then on to Rijeka. He has just been released after three years at Fortuna Sittard.
Ex-Blues Loanee Emanuel Aiwu Finds New Club in Cyprus
Ex-Blues loanee Emanuel Aiwu has found a new club after a move to Apollon Limassol. The defender had a torrid loan spell in the relegation season, making 22 starts but looking completely ill-suited to the physicality of the Championship. Cremonese sold the Austrian to Sturm Graz in the summer of 2024, since when he has played 63 times including in the Champions and Europa Leagues. However he has signed a three-year deal with the Cypriot club and in an interview he said: “Every move was an important step for me. I started at a smaller club in Austria before joining Rapid Vienna, where I had a good season. That earned me a move to Serie A with Cremonese. “Later, I joined Birmingham City on loan because I had always wanted to experience English football. It was a difficult season with many changes, but experiences like that make you stronger. “Apollon is a big club with ambition and the opportunity to play in Europe again was very important. I also had a very good conversation with the coach. He explained his football philosophy, the way he wants the team to play and the role he sees for me. That gave me a really good feeling. “Life in Cyprus is also very attractive and, from my first conversations with the people at the club, I felt this was the right place for me.”
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