The Birmingham City deal that fell through late on transfer deadline day
Birmingham City completed six transfers on deadline day, but it was nearly seven.
Blues had a busy end to the transfer window, pushing through half a dozen deals to conclude their summer business.
Birmingham attacked the summer to get themselves in the best possible shape for the rest of the season, as Chris Davies guiding Blues to a record-breaking 111-point League One title win was merely the start. The true ambition, as has become abundantly clear, is sealing promotion to the Premier League.
To set themselves up, Blues have not only been brutal in the market to shrug off rivals for deals, but they’ve also been ruthless to sanction exits. Many of those who helped them gain promotion in the first place have now left the club — and some had to say their farewells on the final day of the window.
All in all, 12 new faces joined and 16 first-team players left. Only two of those who went became free agents, with 13 departing as a result of transfer or loan agreements with other clubs. Then there was the legendary Lukas Jutkiewicz, who hung up his boots.
Birmingham exit fell through late on deadline day
Of those to leave Blues, four were on deadline day. But it was very nearly five. Lyndon Dykes could have been yet another player to go as the striker was in advanced talks to join Scottish Premiership side Hibernian, but he was denied the move in the final hours.
The English deadline had already passed at 7pm when Dykes looked set to join Hibs, with the Scottish window slamming shut at the later time of 11pm. BBC Sport Scotland reported at around 8pm that Dykes was ‘on track’ to complete a season-long loan switch, however it was never quite pulled off.
Our sister publication, the Edinburgh Scotsman, has now explained why the deal fell through. It’s reported by colleague John Greechan that Dykes had agreed to to the move and Hibs manager David Gray was pushing for it to happen, however Birmingham requested the Scottish club paid a significant proportion of his wages.
Dykes, on a decent Championship salary, proved too expensive for Hibs and they had to pull out of the deal. Although the striker is content at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, he’s fourth in the pecking order in a formation with just one centre-forward. Joining Hibs would have allowed Dykes to gain far more minutes.
New Birmingham signings given time to settle
Blues’ deadline day additions Patrick Roberts and Jack Robinson have joined at a good time as the next fixture isn’t for another week and a half. The international break gives Roberts, Robinson and other recent signings who are still very new in the building - the likes of Lewis Koumas and Marvin Ducksch - the time to properly settle.
When Birmingham return on September 13, they face a short away trip to Stoke City, before hosting Swansea City the following Saturday.
Blues currently sit 10th in the Championship after their draw with Ipswich Town, wins over Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, and a loss at Leicester City. Davies and his men will be determined to move closer to summit with positive results against Stoke and Swansea.