5 POSSIBLE STRIKERS TO REPLACE JAY STANSFIELD

With the possible early departure of Jay Stansfield to Ipswich Town, many Blues fans are once again concerned about the club’s lack of a star striker.

Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz’s days at Birmingham City appear to be numbered, leaving the club without a reliable starting center forward.

However, the January transfer window is approaching, and despite CEO Garry Cook’s warnings about a lack of action, Stansfield’s departure would have to force some movement to replace the striker void.

So, with that in mind, who may the Blues look to replace Jay Stansfield with?

Jonson Clarke-Harris, Peterborough United

Let’s start with the prolific Jonson Clarke-Harris, who has been on many supporters’ wish lists for a couple of transfer windows already. The forward had an incredible 2022/2023 season, finding the back of the net 27 times in 48 League One games, which is the type of consistent goal-scoring record the Blues require from a striker, as the last striker for the Blues to score 15+ goals in the league was Che Adams in the 2018/2019 season.

Clarke-Harris, on the other hand, has gradually fallen out of favour in the Peterborough team this season, with the forward last starting for the Posh in a league match against Wycombe Wanderers on October 21st. Since then, manager Darren Ferguson has started Ricky-Jade Jones up top.

Despite the fact that the move to Bristol Rovers fell through, it appears Peterborough are still willing to unload Clarke-Harris in the January transfer window. According to journalist Darren Witcoop, the Posh are willing to let Clarke-Harris leave in January, with Peterborough eyeing a deal for AFC Wimbledon’s Ali Al-Hamadi. since a result, if Stansfield does leave, the Blues should consider adding the pace and strength of Clarke-Harris to the club, since the player might fill the hole left by a lack of goals.

Rodrigo Muniz, Fulham

Blues might replace Jay Stansfield with another Fulham forward, Rodrigo Muniz, who has battled for game time in the Premier League this season. Another loan spell for the 22-year-old Brazilian, who was previously loaned to Middlesbrough last season, could be beneficial.

Another trip to the championship might help Muniz’s career, and his clever playing style could complement Rooney’s offensive style. However, the Blues would have to compete with Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers for the Brazilian’s loan in January, according to TEAMtalk.

Isaac Olaofe, Stockport County

Stockport County have been soaring in League Two this season, sitting six points clear at the top, and they can thank Isaac Olaofe, who has 13 goals and two assists. Olaofe joined Stockport last January and has scored 17 goals in 49 games.

With his finishing talents improving this season, Olaofe might be a different sort of centre forward for Blues, providing a new option to the likes of Hogan, Burke, and Jutkiewicz up top. Furthermore, the Stockport man may not cost a fortune in a permanent transfer, which is consistent with Garry Cook’s statements regarding the difficulty of adding players in the upcoming window.

Divin Mubama, West Ham United

Mubama is only 19 years old, and although only appearing in a few games, he has a lot of potential, which is intriguing for the Hammers, who, like the Blues, have struggled to find regular center forwards. However, the youthful prospect is yet to go on loan, which might allow Birmingham City to sign Mubama on a short-term basis.

West Ham is still eager on keeping the young striker, so a loan term might help Mubama’s career by allowing him to earn more playing experience and, if successful, secure a steady place in West Ham’s first team. Mubama has demonstrated regular goal-scoring ability in West Ham’s youth levels, netting 55 times in 87 games, which could be useful to Blue if Stansfield leaves.

Junior Dixon, Birmingham City U21

Although Dixon is not a transfer target because he is already a Birmingham City player, his abilities cannot be overlooked and should be considered in filling the prospective Stansfield hole. Dixon has been fantastic for Birmingham’s U21 squad this season, netting 14 goals, therefore it makes sense to give Dixon an opportunity in the main team in a position that is currently lacking goals.

According to Alex Dicken of the Birmingham Mail, Dixon has been invited to train with the Birmingham first team during the Christmas season, so perhaps the U21 forward is in Rooney’s plans from now on and may get his chance if Stansfield is offloaded to Ipswich.