Birmingham City deal encounters stumbling hurdle during training ground visit

Birmingham City saw a deal fall through at the last minute despite reaching a full agreement.

Sparta Rotterdam defender Mike Eerdhuijzen was set to become the Blues’ fourth acquisition of the summer transfer season, but the deal has met an insurmountable stumbling block.

The 23-year-old was a regular starter for Sparta last season, helping the Dutch club finish ninth in the Eredivisie, and was expected to join in a £2.1 million move. Eerdhuijzen was supposed to follow Ryan Allsop, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, and Alfie May into St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, however the transaction fell through.

Birmingham Live says Eerdhuijzen will no longer be joining the club, even after an agreement on a fee with Sparta. The Dutchman visited Blues’ training ground on Monday to confirm his move but an issue occurred and the plug was pulled.

Sparta has even signed a successor in Teo Quintero, but they will now have added depth because Eerdhuijzen will remain in Rotterdam, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, Birmingham will have to consider different defensive options.

New manager Chris Davies wants to sign another centre-back because he plans to play a back-three formation. Dion Sanderson, the club’s captain, is the only fully recognized center-back still on the roster, with defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik serving as a backup.

Emanuel Aiwu did not sign permanently after his loan from Cremonese, while Marc Roberts left after seven years in Birmingham. Cody Drameh, who occasionally switched to the centre of defence, has returned to Leeds United.