“Definitely worth cashing in on”: Birmingham City advised to sell 23-year-old

Birmingham City should try to sell left-back Emmanuel Longelo during the summer transfer window.

That’s according to Football League World’s Birmingham City fan pundit, Mike Gibbs, who believes the Blues should only consider keeping the 23-year-old if they are demoted.

Longelo down the pecking order at St Andrew’s

Longelo first joined Birmingham in the summer of 2022, on loan from Premier League side West Ham.

That move was made permanent in January 2023, with the Blues paying an undisclosed amount, estimated to be approximately £400,000, to acquire the full-back’s services.

Longelo was a bit-part player for the Midlands club last season, appearing in 25 games across all competitions during his debut campaign at St Andrew’s.

Longelo has struggled to find opportunities this season after signing another left-back in Lee Buchanan last summer.

During the current season, the former West Ham player has made 20 appearances, 13 of them as a starter.

As a result, it appears that some Birmingham fans believe that parting ways with Longelo would be preferable whenever the market reopens.

Birmingham fan pundit on Longelo future

With the left-back still to establish himself as a regular starter at St Andrew’s, there is some question regarding whether he is the appropriate player for the club.

Indeed, Gibbs believes it would be better for the Blues to try to collect revenue through the sale of Longelo this summer.

When asked if they should look to sell the 23-year-old in the summer following the arrival of Buchanan at left-back, the Birmingham City fan told Football League World: “I think Manny Longelo is definitely worth cashing in on if we can, though I don’t think we’d get a lot of money for him.”

“I don’t think we paid a huge amount of money for him either though really. For me, he’s not strong enough a defender at left-back, and he’s probably not good enough going forward to be a winger so he’s in a bit of a middle ground.

“I think the only reason that would potentially change is if we do get relegated, whether he’d be a really useful asset in League One.

“I think we’d see a huge number of people leave and if he was to stay I think he’d be in and around the first-team still. I’d certainly see him playing further forward, maybe left-wing as I said so I think it all depends on league position.

“But personally if I had my choice I’d sell him on and try and get some cash back for him.”

Longelo’s contract with the Blues currently has two years remaining. If he is not sold, his position at St Andrew’s is guaranteed until the end of the 2025/26 season.

In the relegation battle, Birmingham are presently 22nd in the league, one point behind safety with two games remaining.

The first of those remaining games is a massive match against fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town at The John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Parting of the ways could be best for all involved

If Birmingham were to sell Longelo during the summer transfer window, it may benefit both the club and the player.

We saw last summer that chairman Tom Wagner is willing to support whoever is in charge at St Andrew’s with investment and recruits in the next season.

If the club does this again this season, which they may believe is necessary given their current situation, players will have to be moved on to make room in the roster and wage budget.

Given his lack of opportunities since joining Birmingham, Longelo may be an apparent option to be moved on to create place for any potential new recruits.

Indeed, at his age, he will want to play regular first-team football, so he may believe that this is the best thing for his career.

With that in mind, it may not come as a surprise if Longelo leaves Birmingham City at the start of the next season.