Birmingham City are in negotiations with Fulham about signing striker Jay Stansfield, who is also coveted by numerous Championship clubs.
Birmingham City are in talks to sign Fulham forward Jay Stansfield for £6 million, as the transfer that has everyone’s attention appears to be getting closer.
Stansfield would be a very ambitious move for the Blues following his excellent loan stay at the club last season earned him the club’s player of the season award.
Blues are seeking to bounce right back into the championship as the Chris Davies era begins; the move for Stansfield is viewed as a big signing that would telegraph the club’s ambition to the rest of League One.
According to the Telegraph, conversations between the two teams are ongoing, and the situation is expected to be resolved shortly, with the Blues expecting to set a new League One transfer fee record.
The Blues benefited from Stansfield’s ability last season; despite being relegated to League One, he scored 13 goals and was largely considered as their best performing player, despite being only 21 and playing Championship football for the first time. Stansfield’s ability to compete in the second tier may make it difficult for Blues to sign him this summer.
It was suggested by Cottagers manager Marco Silva at the end of last season that Stansfield, who scored in Fulham’s recent 6-1 pre-season friendly win over Watford, would stay with the Premier League club heading into the new season after his Blues exploits, but with Emile Smith Rowe set to arrive and join the likes of Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson, and others in Fulham’s final third department, Stansfield could be allowed to leave.
Despite their collapse to the third tier, the Blues are naturally keen in bringing the attacker back to St Andrew’s, a division Stansfield is familiar with from his stint at Exeter City. Whether they can entice the striker back on a permanent basis, despite the bond he formed with the supporters and the club, remains to be seen, especially if Stansfield receives Championship offers. Indeed, Blues understand that pulling off a coup, much alone a miracle, will be extremely difficult.
Cardiff City were linked with a bid for the attacker recently, and Hull are the newest suitors; they have lost loanee Liam Delap and released strikers Billy Sharp and Aaron Connolly at the end of their contracts. The Tigers also have funds to spend after selling Jaden Philogene back to Aston Villa and defender Jacob Greaves to newly promoted Ipswich Town.