Birmingham City have been linked with a Premier League youngster ahead of the January window.
January is fast approaching now and for Wayne Rooney and Birmingham City, it looks set to be quite a busy month.
There’s growing reports of players potentially leaving St Andrew’s in the New Year, as well as the odd report linking Blues with potential new signings.
And one new name to have emerged on Birmingham City’s radar is Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle.
The Sheffield Star says that Sheffield Wednesday are interested in a January swoop for the 19-year-old along with Birmingham City.
Who is James Beale?
Born in 2004, Beadle spent the bulk of his youth career with Charlton Athletic before linking up with Brighton’s academy in 2022.
He’s represented England at U15, U16, U18, U19, and U20 level and is currently on loan at Oxford United in League One where he’s kept seven clean sheets in 21 league outings this season, conceding 22.
Upon signing Beadle in the summer, then Oxford boss Liam Manning said of the teenager:
“He is highly rated and for good reason – he’s tall, athletic, commands his area and is a modern keeper who distributes the ball really well. Even though he’s only 18, he has a fantastic attitude, and we can’t wait to start working with him to continue his development.”
The Star say that Brighton are considering recalling Beadle and then looking for a Championship club for him to spend the second half of the season at.
Could he be a shrewd signing for Birmingham City?
Beadle’s USP seems to be his ball-playing ability.
The Star say that he could be ideal for Sheffield Wednesday’s new passing game under their new boss, and the same could largely be said about Birmingham City.
Rooney has transformed the way that Blues play and so far, some have struggled to adapt, whilst others are steadily improving.
John Ruddy has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after making some errors and poor judgement calls in games, so a new goalkeeper could certainly be something on Rooney’s shopping list.
And a contemporary goalkeeper like Beadle could be ideal, though Birmingham City might have to prove themselves to Brighton before they consider sending Beadle to St Andrew’s.
Brighton have some really talented players on their books and they do their due diligence before sending a player out on loan, so if Blues remain in relatively poor form then they might be over-looked.
But the Beadle link is an exciting one nonetheless, and a potential insight into what might be in store for Birmingham City next month.