Given Birmingham City’s downturn in form under Wayne Rooney, January could well be a busy period for Blues.
Birmingham City have dropped from 6th to 18th in just five games under Rooney, who’s taken just one point from a possible 15.
Blues spent well in the summer and the latest suggestions are that they won’t spend as much in the January transfer window, so long as they’re still keeping their heads above water.
But there’s already been a number of players linked with a move to St Andrew’s since Rooney’s appointment, with the bulk of them coming from Derby County.
Rooney tipped for Rams raid
Soon after Rooney took charge of Birmingham City, TEAMtalk claimed that he wanted to raid former club Derby County for a number of players there, including impressive duo Eiran Cashin and Max Bird.
Rooney gave centre-back Cashin his debut at the club and the Irishman has since prevailed, becoming a key member of the first-team at the age of 22.
Bird is another player who Rooney worked with. He’s also a key player for the Rams and he was subject of interest from Rooney’s old no.2 Liam Rosenior, who wanted to bring the midfielder to Hull City in the summer.
Birmingham City dealt early transfer blow…
Both Cashin and Bird are out of contract next summer.
But an emerging report from Derbyshire Live has revealed that both players are set to be offered fresh terms ahead of January, with Cashin also having a one-year option in his current deal.
So for Rooney who may well have been looking at his former club for some familiar faces, it’s certainly a blow.
Both players have Championship quality and Cashin especially could be a very good purchase for Blues, who have struggled with injuries and consistency in defence this season.
But there’s hope yet. Just because both players are set to be offered new terms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll both accept said terms.
With Derby inconsistent in League One this season, both players may well listen to any outside offers in January, and should that be the case then Derby’s hand might be forced as they won’t want to lose either player for nothing next summer; Cashin though is an exception given the fact that he has a one-year option.
Birmingham City return to action vs Sheffield Wednesday this weekend in what is a real crunch match for the under-fire Rooney.