The winter transfer window is getting nearer with just over two months to go until Birmingham City can sign players again.
A new manager is at the helm at St Andrew’s following the sacking of John Eustace and the appointment of Wayne Rooney. Blues will back the Manchester United legend to get the players he wants as he sits down with technical director Craig Gardner as to who they want to sign, though thare some road blocks to overcome. Birmingham must carefully navigate through the parameters of Financial Fair Play, and that could mean for some wheeling and dealing with several players out of contract next summer.
Money went in and out of the football club this summer with several deals being done. Tahith Chong and Jobe Bellingham were sold whilst fees were paid for Tyler Roberts, Krystian Bielik, Ethan Laird, Siriki Dembele, Dion Sanderson and Lee Buchanan. Have you ever wondered how deals are structured however? Sports Interactive’s latest edition of Football Manager gives a potential insight into the inner workings of a transfer - however we must stress that this is from the game.
Football Manager 2024 is a game and resource that has been utilised within the professional game because of its extensive database, and their dedicated team of contributors. Current Blues boss Wayne Rooney has even admitted using it during his time in charge of MLS outfit DC United.
When you load up the game and choose who you would like to manage, there is a whole sort of things you can find out once you've been appointed. Perhaps the most intriguing is that there is a ‘clauses’ section on the transfers tab, which throws up some interesting information. It provides a list of players that will include things such as sell-on-fees, as well as meeting certain things such as appearances, goal bonuses or international caps as well as outstanding transfer payments.
We must stress that this is according to the game and the inner workings of the deals might be different. Some of the information comes as if you were starting the season, and so if any of this does reflect real life then some fees may have already been paid.
Here, strictly according to FM24, are the current clauses put into the deals of players currently on the books of Birmingham City - as well as those who have left. *FM24’s clauses may not be fully representational of the real-life situation.

5. Jobe Bellingham
30% of his next transfer fee will be owed to Birmingham. Birmingham will be due £500K after another 25 league appearances. Birmingham will be due £1M if Sunderland gain promotion from the Sky Bet Championship. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

6. Krystian Bielik
Derby will be due £500K if Birmingham gain promotion from the Sky Bet Championship. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images

7. Lee Buchanan
20% of his enxt transfer fee will be owed to SV Werder. SV Werder will be due £215K if Birmingham gain promotion from the Sky Bet Championship. SV Werder will be due £210K after another 50 league appearances. | Getty Images Photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)

8. Tahith Chong
Birmingham will be due £2M if Luton avoid relegation before 30th June 2024. Birmingham will be due £300K after another 10 league appearances. Birmingham will be due £300K after another 20 league appearances. Birmingham will be due £300K after another 30 league appearances. Birmingham will be due £300K after another 40 league appearances. Birmingham will be due £300K after another 50 league appearances. | Getty Images Photo: Tony Marshall/Getty Images