Carlton Palmer has warned Birmingham City that they may face “serious competition” for out-of-favour Barnsley player Callum Styles, questioning the Tykes’ choice to let him go.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Styles is on the Blues’ radar as they seek to exit League One with some bold transfer deals under new manager Chris Davies in their first season in the third division since 1994/1995.
According to Nixon’s claim, the Hungarian international, who recently represented his country at Euro 2024, would be able to leave South Yorkshire for a reduced sum of £500,000.
The 24-year-old seems poised to conclude his six-year spell at Oakwell in the coming months, having joined from Bury in 2018. With only one year left on his contract, the Tykes are seeking for a sale this summer before he can depart for free in January.He left on loan to Sunderland last season in quest of regular second-tier action, but the Black Cats have decided not to exercise the buy option in his contract this summer, leaving other clubs free to try to recruit him.
Carlton Palmer reacts to Callum Styles, Birmingham City link
Former England star and current pundit Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to Football League World about his surprise at Barnsley’s willingness to let Styles leave for such a low fee, as well as how fantastic a signing he could be for Birmingham if he were to move to St Andrews.
“He’s got a wealth of experience in the Championship, coupled with League One experience at Barnsley – he’d be an excellent signing for Davies’ side, but they are surely set to face serious competition for his signature,” he said.
“We’ll have to wait and see, but I don’t think there is a way back for him at Barnsley.
“For whatever reason, they let him go out on loan in the second half of last season, and now they’ve put a price tag of £500k on him.
“Maybe it’s his salary, but I don’t know why (they are selling) because he is a very good player, and you would think with Barnsley having ambitions to get promoted that they would want to keep him in the building.
“It seems that Birmingham are very keen, and they’re building a really strong squad for next season to try to get back to the Championship at the first attempt.
“This would be a good move for them, with Callum able to operate in any position across the middle of the park.”
Styles would be a coup for Birmingham
Styles has previously thrived in the Championship at Oakwell, most notably in the 2020/21 season when the Tykes finished fifth under Valerien Ismael, and he had the best season of his career to date.
The 24-year-old has made 136 appearances in the second division in his career and would be an excellent signing for a Championship club in need of midfield and defensive depth, let alone a League One side looking to contend for the crown.
Styles remained at Oakwell for the first half of last season following an injury-plagued 2022/23 season on loan at Millwall, but made a temporary move to Sunderland in January in quest of regular games at a higher level and to maintain himself in shape for Euro 2024.
The 24-year-old, however, struggled to find form with the Black Cats, and the club chose not to exercise the option to buy in his loan arrangement at the conclusion of the season, leaving him back at Barnsley and at a crossroads in his career this summer.
New Birmingham manager Chris Davies will require new midfield players after Gary Gardner’s contract expired, while Alex Pritchard has joined Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor, and Juninho Bacuna appears to be following him, according to Birmingham Live.
Jordan James and Paik Seung-ho could potentially be on their way out of St Andrews this summer, so Davies must get bodies through the door before any further outgoings are permitted.
Styles would not only give depth in midfield, but also as left-wing-back if they used a suited system, or even as a left-back, where he would undoubtedly be at ease playing in the third division.
If the Blues are able to sign a player of Styles’ caliber from a likely League One promotion competitor, it will undoubtedly set them up for a great season and a possible rapid return to the Championship.