Birmingham City are reportedly on the verge of completing a loan agreement that will see midfielder Marc Leonard depart St Andrew's for the remainder of the current campaign.
Loan Deal Nearing Completion
According to prominent transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the arrangement for Leonard to join Scottish Premiership side Hearts is now sealed and the player is set to make the move north. The deal would see the 23-year-old spend the rest of the season at Tynecastle Park.
Limited Opportunities at Blues
Leonard has found first-team minutes hard to come by in the Championship this season, making just five starts and a further ten appearances from the substitutes' bench. The central midfield area at Birmingham has become increasingly competitive, with the Scot falling behind established figures Paik Seung-ho, Tommy Doyle, and Tomoki Iwata in the pecking order.
The recent arrival of Colombian midfielder Jhon Solis on loan from La Liga's Girona has further limited Leonard's prospects for regular football under manager Tony Mowbray. This lack of playing time has prompted the club to seek a temporary move for the player to gain valuable match experience elsewhere.
Hearts Offer Title Challenge
A move to Edinburgh would present Leonard with a dramatic change of scenery and competitive context. While there was reported interest from other Championship clubs and Major League Soccer teams in the United States, Hearts currently sit six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, ahead of traditional giants Celtic and Rangers.
This potential switch would see Leonard return to a familiar environment, having begun his youth career at Hearts before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion as a teenager. The timing could see him thrust immediately into a high-pressure fixture, with Hearts scheduled to face Celtic this weekend.
Hearts' Midfield Need
The move appears mutually beneficial, as Hearts manager Derek McInnes is currently dealing with several absences in his midfield ranks. Oisin McEntee, Brazilian Ageu, and Cammy Devlin are all sidelined through injury, while Beni Baningime is serving a suspension, creating an opportunity for Leonard to secure immediate playing time.
Leonard's Birmingham Journey
Leonard arrived at Birmingham City in the summer of 2024 from Brighton, following a successful loan spell at Northampton Town. While he made 35 appearances in League One last season as Birmingham secured promotion, he struggled to consistently displace Iwata and Paik as the preferred central midfield partnership.
This loan move represents a chance for the player to rediscover his form and rhythm at a club competing at the top of their domestic league, while Birmingham City manage their squad depth ahead of the Championship run-in.
