Birmingham City risk losing 6 G/A star as Fulham forced into major transfer decision

Birmingham City could be helpless to resist a major departure in the January transfer window as one of their Championship rivals hopes to take one of their players.

The window opens in less than a fortnight and whilst there's a need to recruit new players that suits Wayne Rooney's brand of football, he could be faced with losing one of the better performing players during his tenure.

Jay Stansfield - on loan from Premier League club Fulham - has five goals and an assist this season, and two goals and that assist came under Rooney. It is claimed by the East Anglian Daily Times that Ipswich Town are plotting a permanent move for Stansfield, confirming that he is one of the Tractor Boys targets next month.

The report adds that Ipswich have made an enquiry to the Cottagers, and that Ipswich are in a position to make a move. It is was said by The Sun journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon that Kieran McKenna will have a budget of £3m to spend next month, and will be able to offer £15,000-a-week wages.

Reports in East Anglia however believe that Ipswich could go past that, and that could blow Birmingham out of the water. Blues have to navigate through the parameters of Financial Fair Play rules, and with Ipswich boasting bigger crowds right now, there is more money at the disposal of the Suffolk club.

It is unsure yet what Fulham's stance is on Stansfield, and whether they would be interested in cashing in on the youngster. Stansfield is on a season-long loans at St Andrew's but as is the case with most loan deals, parent clubs can assess the situation when the next registration period opens.

The 21-year-old made his debut for England's under-21's team in November, and has made a gradual step-up from his loan at Exeter City in League One to Birmingham in the Championship. He is under contract at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2027, and so it would command a sizeable fee to prize him away from the West London club.