Birmingham City and West Brom aim to strike ‘bargain’ deal with out-of-contract Rangers star in January
Birmingham City are keen to bolster their squad depth as they target an immediate return to the Championship
League One title challengers Birmingham City are aiming to boost their promotion hopes with a shrewd move for Rangers youngster Adam Devine this January.
Glasgow World reported last month that the Light Blues are open to selling Devine to raise funds for incoming signings after a dismal start to the Premiership season which has already seen them fall a staggering 16 points behind runaway leaders Celtic in the title race.
The outlet understands Rangers are willing to offload Devine before the expiration of his contract and are willing to listen to offers from Birmingham City for the eight-time Scotland Under-21 international.
Mail Sport says Birmingham City are the frontrunners to get the deal done as they aim to boost their squad depth for the second half of the season after picking up 53 points from 23 matches.
However, the outlet also revealed that West Midlands rivals West Brom, who are still seeking a replacement for Carlos Corberan, could also seek to strike a deal with Devine.
What would Adam Devine bring to Birmingham City?
Adam Devine has been on the books of Rangers since he was nine-years-old and has enjoyed a steady rise into the first team of the club he grew up supporting.
He told the club website: “I played with a boys club when I was growing up and luckily enough I was scouted by Rangers and I have come right through the Academy to the first-team. It has been difficult, with a lot of hard work, but I have loved every minute of it.
He made his Light Blues debut against Dundee Utd at the end of the 2021/22 season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and earned his first start in a 3-1 win at Hearts a few days later.
“I played with a boys club when I was growing up and luckily enough I was scouted by Rangers and I have come right through the Academy to the first-team. It has been difficult, with a lot of hard work, but I have loved every minute of it.”
He added: “Now I hope to play in as many games as possible and try and help the team when I can.”
Devine has played a combined total of 11 games for his boyhood club across all competitions, but has never been able to dislodge club captain James Tavernier or nearest competitor Dujon Sterling. He did, however, gain first team experience on loan at Motherwell in the second half of last season, contributing one goal and an assist from 12 outings.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies has said that there may be scope for Birmingham City to venture into the left-back market after Lee Buchanan’s knee injury, but is also understood to be keen on strengthening the right-hand side of the defence as the Blues target a return to the Championship via automatic promotion and further progression in the EFL trophy.