Double departure from Birmingham City creates a perfect opportunity for a Leeds United player

admin | May 3, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Birmingham City’s decision to sign Luke Ayling on a free transfer is excellent as they want to replace the experience of departed Lukas Jutkiewicz and Marc Roberts.

Right-back Ayling’s contract with Leeds United is coming to an end, and he appears unlikely to stay at Elland Road for another eight years.

The 32-year-old is considered to be coveted by a number of clubs ahead of the summer transfer season, with the Blues the most recent to be connected with a move, according to The Sun’s latest claims.

Jutkiewicz, 35, and Roberts, 33, are both poised to leave at the conclusion of their contracts, and a player of Ayling’s caliber may be a perfect replacement, bringing a wealth of experience and a knowledgeable mind to the St Andrews dressing room.

Birmingham have been trying to avoid relegation in a chaotic season that has seen them controlled by four different managers, with Gary Rowett now in charge for an interim period.

They are in 21st place heading into the final game of the season, and in order to avoid relegation, they must win against Norwich City and pray that Plymouth Argyle or Sheffield Wednesday lose their games against Hull City and Sunderland, respectively.

Ayling would be a coup

Ayling fell out of favour at Leeds under Daniel Farke earlier this season, but has impressed since joining Middlesbrough on loan in the January transfer window, appearing in 18 games and assisting six times.

According to TeessideLive, Boro are expected to be interested in signing him following a successful six months at the Riverside Stadium.

His outstanding record has prompted clubs around the country to inquire about his availability this summer, with Sheffield United apparently interested in signing him as they prepare to return to the Championship.

Birmingham’s final-day performance will most certainly make or break a potential move for Ayling; he will not want to drop into League One after shown that he is still more than adequate at Championship level.

If the Blues survive, it would be a statement signing as they try to move forward next season under new ownership and a potential new management.

Jutkiewicz and Roberts must be replaced

Lukas Jutkiewicz joined Birmingham on loan from Burnley in 2016, was signed permanently in 2017, and has since become a modern-day Blues star.

The striker has made 329 appearances for Birmingham, scoring 66 goals and won the club’s Player of the Year title in 2019/20.

Marc Roberts, a centre-back, has similarly endeared himself to Blues supporters since joining from Barnsley in 2017, having played 197 games and scored eight goals.

Both players’ on-field influence has lessened this season, which could help explain the Blues’ poor run, as they have only started 13 league games combined.

The club has not explicitly confirmed their planned exits, but it appears to be a natural conclusion to both players’ Birmingham City tenure.

If they depart, Alex Pritchard will be the only player 30-years-old or older under contract at the start of the next season, leaving a youthful squad sorely short in elder statesmen to help them through potentially difficult situations on and off the game.

Ayling won the Championship with Leeds and has played over 250 games in the second tier during his career; he would be a perfect signing for Birmingham, but they must first remain in the Championship.