David Davis thought his Birmingham City career was over in 2017 – only to be promised a new contract within 24 hours.
Davis was a victim of Blues’ spending spree under Harry Redknapp in a summer where they signed 13 new players and spent more money than the club had in any other window.
Jota, Cheikh Ndoye, David Stockdale and Marc Roberts were among the costly additions Blues made during that summer, and Redknapp thought he had saved the best till last.
A deal was agreed with Russian side Rubin Kazan to sign former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, and as a result, Davis was told he could leave.
Davis claims he was all set to reunite with ex-Blues boss Gary Rowett at Derby County when the Song deal hit a snag.
Blues pulled the plug on Davis’ move to Derby, and Redknapp went on the charm offensive with the midfielder at the end of a haphazard transfer window.
“The scenario was summed up when Harry came in and we signed all those players,” Davis told Blue Rising. “Deadline day comes and Alex Song is supposed to sign, so I get the call saying I can go... so I'm ready and waiting to go Derby.”
In the end the Song deal fell through, Davis continued: “I'm wondering if it's going to happen. I'm waiting for the phone to ring and Harry Redknapp rings me, 'Not sure what you've heard but you're going to be a big player for us and you'll play every week...'
“I'm like, 'Well, I want a new deal'. Because this is what the club's about at the minute and I'm thinking I could have gone somewhere I'm going to be happy, and probably would have got a bit more money, so if you're going to mess me about because you can't get your player...
“He's like, 'Yes, we'll sort a deal out.' Happy days, I only signed a deal a year ago.
“Little did I know, three weeks later he's gone. Luckily, my agent got Harry to get it in writing and we signed it to say that I would be offered a new deal at some point in the next six months.”
