Birmingham and Boro ‘ready to fight’ for star as forward drops hint

Birmingham City are apparently set to fight with Middlesbrough and Sheffield United for the signature of Leeds United defender Luke Ayling.

The Elland Road stalwart fell out of favour with Daniel Farke and joined Boro on loan for the rest of the season during the January transfer window. Ayling has impressed at the Riverside Stadium, providing six assists in 18 games for Michael Carrick’s side, despite missing out on a place in the Championship playoffs.

What happens next for Ayling remains to be known, as the former Bristol City and Yeovil Town defender is out of contract at the end of the season. Boro are said to be interested in a permanent signing for the 32-year-old, while Sheffield United have also highlighted Ayling as a potential addition as they prepare for life back in the second tier following Saturday’s 5-1 humiliation at Newcastle United. However, The Sun has now claimed Birmingham are’ready to compete’ for Ayling’s signature at the end of the season, and that a move to St Andrews is ‘a very genuine option’ for the defender.

The Owls come to the Stadium of Light after victories over Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, knowing that a point on Wearside would bring a triumphant finish to their survival campaign. That is a far cry from the first meeting between the two sides this season, when the Black Cats cruised to a 3-0 victory at Hillsborough as their hosts were mired in relegation jeopardy.

But the tone couldn’t be more different ahead of Saturday’s season-ending battle, and it appears to have stretched to one present member of the Owls team who may depart the club following their Stadium of Light trip. Josh Windass, who scored the winning goal in last season’s League One play-off final win against Barnsley, is out of contract this summer, and he appears to have intimated that he wants to stay with Wednesday following their excellent victory over West Brom.

“What a club, what a place,” Windass commented on his Instagram page. “And my team mates, wouldn’t wanna play with a different group of boys.”